Canto IV. 153 Fish and 3 Lambs

Jesus showed Himself again by the sea,
When many disciples were back in Galilee.
Peter went fishing, and others came along –
Thomas, and James, Nathanael, and John.

They fished all night, but nothing was caught,
They had longed every moment for their nets to go taut.
Day was breaking; a voice called from the shore –
They did not know yet ‘twas the man they adored.

Dawn has not yet come.
When He is not here, how can there be sun?
The earth shook yet again – what was causing this madness?
It struck terror in their hearts, combined with pre-existing sadness.

The women reached the tomb; the stone was rolled away.
It had been sealed – this was no child’s play.
And sitting on the stone, with appearance like lightning
Clothing white as snow, his appearance was frightening.

Their Lord was dead; they’d laid Him in the tomb.
The Romans killed their head; now they waited for their doom.
What were they to do now that men had killed their Jesus?
With Him no longer here, who was there to save us?

They’d forgotten His words, what He’d said many times.
He foretold His death – and they’d doubted those lines.
He’d said the Son of Man, would be delivered over,
Be crucified by Gentiles – its truth now made them sober.

Below, they mock – “King of the Jews, your power is null -
Save yourself on the place of the Skull.”
His body is broken, His blood poured out,
These wounds that drive away all doubt.

With transgressors He is numbered,
With our sins is now encumbered.
Gone is every hint of sunburst.
And now - He thirsts.

So Jesus came out, a crown of thorns on His head
Robed in purple by those who wished Him dead.
And they slapped Him in the face,
The One who created them, they sought to abase.

And Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!
Shall I crucify your King as you plan?”
“We have no king but Caesar,” the crowd replies.
“His blood be on our children, even when he dies!”

They strike Him with the reed He made,
Mocking the Law they’d not obeyed.
Still like the Lamb to the altar,
He is silent; He will not falter.

 One last supper they ate together
The disciples not knowing the storm He would weather.
He washes their feet, and warns they’ll fall away,
Though every one claims he shall stay.

 He takes the bread, His broken frame
Shattered to claim the Savior-name.
Take; eat, in remembrance of Him
This must be done to save from sin.

 His blood of the covenant is in the cup
Poured out His soul to death, soon after they sup,
Spilled for the covenant and forgiveness of sins,
Shedding blood greater than animal skins.