Episode 4: The Rock on Which it is Built

 

4.      The Rock on Which it is Built

(4/21/2019) 49 min

 

Exterior-Night-on the water Simon is being rowed by the small Roman guard we saw at the end of the “Shabbat” episode. He directs them through the fog and mist on the water, sights something floating and picks it up to show them. The bobs from the fishing net of a prominent Jew whose family runs a very successful fishing trade. They are getting close but Simon purposely directs them into a sandbar.

 Opening Credits

 Exterior-Night-Beach Simon’s arms are held firmly in place as the Roman guards march him up the beach. “Accidents happen, boys!” Simon’s blithe attempt at humor is not appreciated as the leader turns around to face him. He knows Simon purposely crashed their rowboat on that sandbar. Drawing his sword, he delivers a warning blow to Simon, son of Jonah, nicking his ear. Simon groans. “Think of Eden,” the leader reminds him. Bristling at the threat to his wife, Simon receives only a punch in the gut for his efforts to defend his family and doubles over. They release him and all walk away. Simon is in big trouble and he knows it as he holds his bleeding ear. (no real blood is shown for this is a G-rated show!)

 Cut to the tavern where Simon is meeting with Zebedee and his two sons. Andrew is here too at the table. They comment on his ear and Simon confesses all which does not impress Zebedee much. James and John are ready to just walk away now and leave Simon to his troubles but, learning Simon stopped the Romans from taking one of his six fishing vessels last night, Zebedee motions to his sons to sit back down. 

Simon wants Zebedee to turn over their catch to him. In return, he won’t let the Romans shut down their family business by enforcing the Jewish law of fishing on Shabbat as he knows they were doing last night. Sorry, no deal. Zebedee has nearly 40 men who work for him. They have families to feed. He agrees with his sons, they will have nothing to do with this.

Matthew has been summoned to meet with Quintus who is even more impressed with Matthew’s character and his observation skills. He wants Matthew to do him a favor and keep an eye on Simon. Record everything he does, where he goes, who he talks to, right down to how many drinks he consumes in the tavern. Matthew promises (as if he has a choice).

 Nicodemus learns of a rather unusual man out in the wilderness preaching a populist message aimed at tearing down the beloved traditions of the Rabbis who love to preach and look down on the people in self-righteousness instead of preaching the true word of God. This man is also chastising all dishonesty among those who get rich off the backs of the poor. The nerve! Nicodemus’ fellow scholars are not taking this lightly and wonder if the great Rabbi Nicodemus has anything to say about it? If he’s not a miracle worker, then Nicodemus doesn’t consider this “Baptizer” anyone they should be worrying about. He sees no threat. Meeting adjourned.

 Simon enters the main room of his dwelling only to discover Eden and her two brothers whispering furiously with each other. They stop when they see Simon and notice the cut on his ear which he doesn’t explain. Their mother is very sick, needs a place to stay and…coughing can be heard from the other room. Simon gets a little agitated as he realizes what they are implying. This is NOT a good time for them to be taking in a relative. Arguing ensues until Eden announces she is siding with her husband. Simon sternly orders the others out; he needs to speak to his wife in private. This is HIS home, he sternly reminds them.

 They exit and he confesses all to Eden. The cut on his ear is from a Roman. He made a bad deal and if he doesn’t bring in a miracle load of fish soon, Eden won’t even have a place to care for her ailing mother and he will be in prison, unable to support anyone in this family. Eden gets emotional. Can’t her husband see he is trying to do everything all by himself instead of putting his trust in God? He won’t even turn to Him for help. He is not the same man she married, these habits he’s developed, gambling, not keeping all the commandments. Simon sighs, she’s right but now he needs to go out fishing tonight and pray for a miracle.

 He exits his dwelling and is gathering his fishing gear when Andrew comes running around the corner. It’s happened! He saw it with his own eyes! John the Baptizer pointed to a man walking to the river and acknowledged him as the Lamb of God. (There is NO mention if John actually baptized the Messiah with water, heard the voice of Heavenly Father testifying of His Beloved Son or saw the Holy Spirit descend on the Son of God)

 The Messiah has come! Anything is possible now. Andrew is stoked! Simon doesn’t care; he’s more worried about his debts. If the Messiah really IS here, maybe he can do something to help solve their more immediate problems. Shouldering his fishing nets and other equipment, Simon suggests his brother go inside and help his sister-in-law. If anyone needs him he’ll be out on the lake all night tonight trying to fix this mess.

 No sooner has he sent Andrew into the house, Simon sees Matthew lingering outside the gate who obviously saw and heard the whole exchange. He guesses correctly that Quintus sent the tax collector to spy on him. Matthew warns him Quintus is sending men to collect on his debt first thing tomorrow morning. He might as well turn himself in now, unless he can find a way to settle his debt. Simon just turns and heads for the lake. Matthew watches him go.

 Nicodemus and his wife are eating their evening meal when a knock comes on their chamber door. John the Baptizer is in prison. Nicodemus thanks him for this news. He’d like to go question this man himself now that he knows where to find him.

 Simon launches his boat out on the water and gets to work casting net after net-nothing! He yells to the sky in frustration. He is growing desperate. He begins praying aloud, talking to God, doubting his interest in his chosen people. God must enjoy watching him fail like this over and over, eh?

 Just then, a call comes across the black water. It is Andrew who brought Zebedee and his two sons to help. Thanks Eden. They all five get to work but, again, all nets come up empty.

Cut to morning. The men doze in the gently rocking boats. Even on shore Matthew has been sitting, observing all the actions out on the water, dozing himself.

 Simon calls it a night, they’re done. He might as well go home and start packing to leave the country; maybe he can find refuge in Egypt. In the morning sunlight, they see a group has gathered on the beach, Romans probably, not wasting any time to pounce on poor Simon. But wait, as the two boats draw nearer to shore it is not Romans but a small group listening to a sermon given by a teacher of some sort. The viewer knows it is Jesus.

 Matthew sitting off in the distance can hear the words of the Rabbi telling some kind of story about seeds and different kinds of soil (This is Matthew 13) Both boats hit land and as Simon and Andrew’s boat scrape the bottom of the lake, Jesus turns around and Andrew gasps…

 “IT’S HIM!!” Andrew yelps quietly while Simon busies himself with nets and cleaning up their gear-he doesn’t care. Jesus addresses them, asks if he may borrow their boat as these good people on the shore are having trouble hearing him. Andrew is thrilled-heck YES! Jesus steps onto the boat and meets Simon’s eye, introduces himself and they shake hands. He has something for Simon (presumably Andrew too) if he would just allow him a few minutes. Simon agrees.

 Jesus turns and addresses the group all seated on the beach waiting patiently for him to continue his discourse. They can all hear him? Good. “Trust me my yelling voice is not easy on the ears!” Since he is on a fishing vessel his last story will be on that very subject. He requests one of their nets and Simon hands him one. He gives the Parable of the Fishing Net (not word-for-word from the scriptures since have to allow for time) and asks if they understood? (THAT question is in the Bible, Matthew 13:51) The crowd murmurs back, Yes. Jesus finishes his talk and dismisses them. He turns back to Simon,

 “Put that down for a catch,” he says handing back the net and stepping off the boat. Simon tries to explain they’ve been doing that all night and…Jesus continues to look at him until Simon finally concedes, “All right, at your word.” He and Andrew cast the net (the boat does NOT move a little farther out as Jesus instructs in Luke 5:3 but oh well) while Simon exchanges another doubtful glance with Jesus who merely returns it (which is why we LOVE this show!)

 Suddenly the boat lurches to the side-Woah! Grab the net, quick! Help! Seeing the commotion several yards away on their own beached boat, Zebedee and his sons drop the nets they were cleaning and sorting and come running. Knee deep in water they push and pull and strain to contain the net which is already threatening to break. Camera cuts to a wider shot and we can see fish (CGI fish but they look so REAL! There’s a great behind the scenes making of this episode https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxV9BK_LQgw how they accomplished these shots with the fish.)

 On the shore Jesus smiles then chuckles in delight watching the miracle as the net spills the entire catch into the boat. Everyone is laughing and exclaiming. “I TOLD you!” Andrew cries to his brother. The boat is now creaking and groaning. Abandon ship! The boat is threatening to sink under the weight of its load. Simon stumbles onto shore and kneels in front of Jesus to speak the same words we read in Luke 5:8-Depart from me for I am a sinful man!

 Simon is weeping lightly as he says this, remembering all he has done from the past three episodes. Jesus reassures him tells him to lift up his head. He squats down to meet Simon’s eye and extend the invitation to follow him. Simon will. Andrew jumps out of the boat and joins his brother. Jesus doesn’t need to repeat His invite to him but he does motion to James and John, calling them by name, standing with their father in the water. Follow me. Zebedee tells them to go; he will take care of all the fish and settle up Simon’s debt.

 The small group walks along the beach and Simon jokes with Jesus about maybe doing that again, a few more times? Jesus clasps Simon son of Jonah’s shoulder. He will be a great fisher of men. They ALL will and they are to gather as many as possible, just like in the parable he was telling earlier. He will sort them out later. All stare in amazement as Jesus continues walking.

 Back on the beach, an equally astonished Matthew, who saw the whole thing, observes Zebezee seeing to the boat overflowing with fish. He can’t believe it. Zebedee, knowing Matthew works for Rome, just shrugs and grins.

 And finally, Nicodemus enters a filthy prison where, behind some wooden bars is a bearded, emaciated man-John the Baptizer-who not afraid to address the great teacher as an equal but Nicodemus is not here to discuss anybody’s ego. He wants to ask him questions about miracles.

 

END CREDITS