shrank back from the sheer force of Jesus' anger.

"You are like whitewashed tombs: clean on the outside, but inside they
stink with rotten bones! You put on a show of goodness--but your hearts
are filled with hypocrisy and wickedness!"

The disciples were horrified. Jesus was attacking the very priests
themselves! Did he realize what would happen?

"God will punish you for killing the prophets, just as he condemned your
wicked fathers for their sins! You snakes! You nest of vipers! There is
no way for you to escape eternal fire!"

The priests flushed crimson. The people watched them stalk into the
inner court. Judas saw the hatred on their faces and knew that they
would never be satisfied until they had killed Jesus. He was glad now
that he had gone over to their side.

"We had better leave this place!" whispered Andrew to Peter. He looked
toward the gate where the priests had gone. But Jesus was talking to the
people again.

"He will never leave!" answered Peter.

Panic seized the Zealot. "Come on! We must get out of here!" He kept
looking at the guards in the tower.

"What are you thinking of?" demanded Peter, turning on him. "We can't
leave the Master alone!"

"I'm not going to be caught like a rat in a trap!" The Zealot looked at
the high walls around them.

"I will not leave this place until the Master does," declared James
firmly.

"You will never get out," warned the Zealot.

"Just the same, I'm staying," repeated James stubbornly.

All day the crowd listened eagerly to every word that Jesus spoke. Even
in their despair the disciples knew that Jesus would consider the day
well spent. "How I wish he would leave!" burst out John, late that
afternoon. "Where will we eat the Passover meal tonight?" During a pause
he asked Jesus the question.

"You and Peter go into the city," answered Jesus. "You will meet a man
carrying a water jar. Follow him to his house. Tell the owner that the
Rabbi says, 'Where is the room in which I am to eat the Passover with my
disciples?' This man will show you a large room upstairs, with table and
couches arranged for us. Prepare the Passover meal there."

The two disciples were amazed: Jesus had planned the meal ahead of time!
Glad to get out of the Temple, they did as they were told. At twilight,
Jesus and the others arrived. All except Jesus were completely worn out.
They had given up all hope. Who could tell what might happen before
this night was over? Like men in