How is it that one of this "thundrous" son of Zebedee--who had wanted a prime throne in Heaven--becomes instead "the disciple whom Jesus loved" and the caring man whom Jesus asks to look after his mother? Using some details only reported in the book of John--especially Jesus' washing of the disciples'feet--
we try to follow the transformation.

Lyrics:

It starts with Jesus, sent of God.
Beside the lake, that day, he called
two thundrous sons of Zebedee
with such ways of fishing diff'rently,
they set off to catch men immediately.

His miracles attracted throngs.
He fed a crowd, five thousand strong,
with nothing more than five small loaves and fish--
The crowd would raise him king, right then, for this!
But by himself, away he slipped.

They sought him later for more bread.
"Strive for the lasting food," he said.
"Seek out the bread of Heaven that I am."
Some left, because they could not understand,
while two still pressed for thrones at his right hand!

So on the night he was betrayed,
he took a basin, not afraid
to step down as the master, kneel to each,
and with the tow'l around him, wash our feet--
Oh, what it took to make his message reach!

Dear children, it begins with Christ.
Seek Him as bread; be fed for life.
Feed others, then-- So much he first fed you.
One so loved of Jesus says it's true,
that it still starts with Jesus, Son of God.

 

©2009 Constance Morgenstern

 

Musical Details:

Arranged for solo baritone voice and guitar.
Voice range is G2 to C4.

(For slightly higher voices, capo the guitar part.)

Price for online version: $1.50 per copy made beyond your one, free printout.
If the soloist and the accompanist each download their own free copies, however,
there's no cost for normal, church use! Such a deal!

 

Many thanks to Gary Stelmaszewski for his guitar work and recording expertise, and to
Jim Morgenstern for the vocals on the display tracks.