Thomas, Nathaniel, Peter and John
Sat there on the beach
No work had begun
The fish were at large
All over the lake
But these ‘eager’ disciples
Were having a break
All they could do this warm summers night
Was discuss ‘serious’ matters
Jerusalem’s plight
Nathaniel was disgusted
They were beaten again
‘Their goal – keeper’s useless
He plays like a drain’
Worried Peter then said ‘ it looks bad for them
Next week is the cup match
Against Bethlehem
D’ya know something else
Guess why they call….
….their keeper Cinderella ?
Cos he’s late for the ball’
A few moments of silence then John did declare
‘Well I am fed up
And I tell you, I swear….
….if we talk about football
For one moment more
I’ll jump in the lake
And swim from this shore’
Again it fell silent as the men did reflect
About their new lifestyle
And how things got wrecked
When their leader Jesus
Was killed on a cross
His was the pain
Theirs was the loss
‘Life was much better when He was around’
Said John with a tear
‘We’d always be found….
….with Him, in a crowd
The dead being raised
Healing the blind
God being praised’
Now we’ve nothing to do ‘cept sit on this beach
And talk about football
And hear someone preach….
….on the merits of goalkeeping….
….which then leads me wishin’….
….that I was elsewhere… ( ANGRY )
….Oh, I’m going fishin’ ! ‘
‘I may be naïve’ said Nathaniel to Tom
But I don’t think He’s happy
He’s got a cob on
But let’s follow him out
And see what we catch
Let’s get in the boat
And fish in this patch’
The moon hung bright as they toiled in their bit
They didn’t say much
They just got on with it
But frustration was creeping
The hours ticked on by
They had nothing to show
For their silent try
Disappointment then reigned as they pulled in their nets
Tom said to Pete ‘this…
….is as good as it gets
What a sad reflection
He belongs in a zoo
But the Jerusalem keeper
Catches more than we do’
Even John cracked a smile when Tom cracked his joke
But all then looked up
As they heard this bloke
He was way on the shore
And balling out loud
Demanding attention
From the fisherman crowd
‘Had any luck tonight with the old fishin’ chaps ?
If not, I just thought….
….that maybe, perhaps….
….if you dangled your nets
….on the right of the boat
You might profit more
And hit the right note’
The crew were all still, and a minutes silence observed
For that bright comment
So strange and absurd
This absurd stranger
Then drew John’s wrath
And led him right down
To his angry path
He boiled, ‘what’s all this tosh, about fish and notes
Please do not insult us
With your crazy quotes
‘Hey lads’ said Nathaniel
‘Let’s give it a try
‘Think he may be right
But I couldn’t tell you why’
Obedient disciples then lowered as told
Their nets to the right
Immediately they rolled….
….and they rocked with the catch
Hard work for the men
As they struggled together
To bring the fish in
When that task was done they all looked to the shore
Considering the man
With bewildered awe
Dawn was just breaking
On Lake Galilee
When the stranger said, ‘Peter
Tis Jesus, tis Me’
Immediately then Peter just threw himself out
And swam like the clappers
Amongst the cod and the trout
To get to see Jesus
Who now sat by a fire
He got to the beach
And Jesus said ‘hi ya….
….glad you could make it, now go grab a plate
I’ve cooked some already
It tastes really great’
The rest of the crew
Well laden with food
Brought their catch ashore
In incredulous mood
Jesus became mother, organising the meal
His happy guests ate
The cod and the eel
They heard He had risen
But they never thought
He’d show up like this
Cooking what they had caught
Twas morning on Galilee and breakfast was served
After toiling all night
It was what they deserved
Then Jesus said ‘right’
With a radiant smile
Now we’ve finished munching
Let’s talk awhile
I have questions for you Peter. We need to chat
But first let me say
That last night I sat….
….and I watched the football
Jerusalem Town
Should have seen that keeper
Oh what a clown ! ’
But now serious business, I want you all to know….
….about the three times….
….when we heard the cock crow
Remember that night
And the pain that I bore
I forgive you now Peter
So don’t worry no more’
NARRATOR
Imagine it was me who served on His team
And three times denied
And didn’t come clean
And then fruitlessly fished….
….my way through the night
And was served by that one
As dark became light
I’d feel ten feet tall that He forgave me
I’d stick out my chest
And walk happily
And lift my head up
And do the right thing
I’d turn it around
And I’d serve my King
So now in the summer, as outside I cook
Right there on the patio
On the grill, I will look….
….at the spare ribs and steaks there
I wonder, do you
If Jesus will show up
At my barbeque ?