deed!" declared Jesus.

"Is it I?" asked James. He seemed to doubt even himself.

John leaned back to Jesus. "Tell us who it is, Master."

"It is not I, is it, Rabbi?" urged Judas.

Jesus turned to him. "Are you sure it is not you?" He looked accusingly
at Judas. Then Jesus said sternly, "Whatever you are planning to do--do
it quickly!" Judas left the room immediately.

"He must be going out to pay for the food," remarked Andrew.

"Master, I don't care what the others may do; I will stay with you!"
declared Peter.

Jesus looked at him sadly: "Peter, you are going to face a terrible
test, but I have asked God to help you. You must help the others."

"Master," repeated Peter, eager to convince himself that he was not
afraid, "I swear that I will do anything for you. I am ready even to die
for you!"

Jesus shook his head. "You have promised more than you can do. Before
the cock crows at dawn you will deny three times that you ever knew me!"

When the men had finished eating the meat, Jesus picked up a piece of
the unleavened bread and held it in his hands. "I have looked forward to
eating this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins." He
raised his eyes. "Heavenly Father, I thank thee that thou hast shown
mercy and love to thy children. I thank thee that thou hast hidden these
things from the wise and revealed them to babes."

Then Jesus broke the bread and gave the pieces to the disciples, saying:
"Take this bread. It is my body; I am the Bread of Life. If you believe
in me, you already have eternal life. Just as I have broken this bread,
my body will be broken when I suffer for you. Every time you break
bread, therefore, remember what I have done for you."

The men were not sure that they understood all that Jesus meant, but
they knew they were somehow sharing the life of their Master as they
took the bread and ate it. Then Jesus took the large cup of wine and
water in his hand. "This cup of wine stands for a promise of salvation:
take it and drink the wine, every one of you. This wine is my lifeblood,
which I give that you may have eternal life. Whenever you drink it,
remember my promise to you." Jesus handed the cup to John, who was
reclining next to him. John sipped from it and passed it on. Reverently
each man drank from the cup. Jesus put it on the table and arose from
his couch. The group stood and chanted together a psalm of thanksgiving:

"I love the Lord, because he heareth
My