s disciples again gathered round Him; but
they looked anxious. For they had had unpleasant experiences in their
walks through the town. The mood of the people had entirely changed;
they spoke little of the Messiah but rather of the demagogue and
betrayer of the people, just in the same tone as had been used in
Galilee. Only here the expressions were more forcible, and accompanied
with threatening gestures. In front of the town gates, where there was
a rocky hill, Thomas had watched two carpenters nailing crossbeams to
long stakes. He asked what they were doing, and was told that
criminals were impaled on the festival. Questioning them more closely,
he learned that they were desert robbers.

"Desert robbers?" said a passer-by. "What are desert robbers? There
are desert robbers every year. This time quite different people are to
be hoisted up."

"Yes, if they're caught," said another. "His followers are burrowing
somewhere in the city, but He Himself has flown. It's too absurd how
the police seek everywhere, and can't find out where He is."

Thomas did not want to hear any more, and took himself off.

Judas heard similar things, only more plainly; it was quite clear that
it was the Master who was meant. Things had gone as far as that! And
all the enthusiasm had been false. The olive-branches and palm-leaves
were not yet all trodden down, and they bore witness to the Messianic
ecstasy of four days ago. And to-day? To-day the police were
searching for Him! But wasn't it His own fault? To run into the jaws
of your enemies, and to irritate and abuse them--to do no more than
that! If He had only stirred a fold of His cloak to show who He was.
Who believed that He had walked on the water: that He had brought the
dead to life? They only laughed when such things were related. Why
did He not do something now? Just one miracle, and we should be saved.
Perhaps He is intentionally letting things come to the worst, so that
His power may appear the more impressive. They will take Him and put
Him in chains, lead Him out amid the joyful cries of the mob, and
suddenly a troop of angels with fiery swords will come down from
heaven, destroy the enemy, and the Messiah revealed will ascend the
throne. That will happen, must happen. The sooner the better for all
of us. How can it be hurried on? His indecision must be changed into
determination. I wish they had Him already, so that we could celebrate
a glorious P