ted to Pilate. "The priests will be against
us!" burst out Judas again. "What can we do when every important person
will say that we are wrong?" Not even the Zealot could find an answer.

The disciples heard rushing footsteps behind them. Fear clutched them as
they caught sight of a crowd pouring down the street from the Temple.
They gathered around Jesus. "Hosanna! The Son of David has come to rule
his eternal kingdom! Save us now!" Through the narrow streets on every
side, people came running.

"These people are not against us!" cried the Zealot. Peter caught sight
of the man whose bullock had been rejected by the priest. Of course,
this man would be on Jesus' side!

Jesus waved his hand, and the crowd gradually became quiet. "The Kingdom
of God is present among you!" he said to them. "God rules every man who
trusts him. Nothing is impossible for a man who has faith!" For a moment
an outburst of hosannas drowned his voice. "God does not desire more
offerings and sacrifices! He wants you to trust him as your Father! He
wants you to love his will above everything else and to obey him
faithfully. Any man who hears and believes my word shall have eternal
life in God's Kingdom!"

Already the crippled, blind, and diseased were pressing forward to the
place where Jesus stood. Looking at them with pity, Jesus repeated words
now familiar to the disciples: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for
he has consecrated me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent me
to proclaim release for captives and recovery of sight for the blind. He
has sent me to set free the oppressed and to proclaim this is the year
of the Lord's blessing!" It seemed a long time since Peter had heard
Jesus read from Isaiah in the synagogue at Nazareth.

"You are the One the Prophets tell about!" cried a beggar in the crowd.
"You are the Son of David!"

All day Jesus remained in Jerusalem, teaching and healing. Roman
soldiers came to investigate, but they did not disturb him.

"Look at all these people," the Zealot said enthusiastically. "He must
be getting ready to declare himself king! He did just the right thing
this morning!"

Judas turned on him. "The people cannot make anyone king," he said
bluntly. "The Romans and the priests are all that count!" The other
disciples wavered between hope and discouragement. Later in the day
Pharisees and priests joined the crowd. "See?" said Judas. "Already they
are spying on us." The hearts of the Twelve s