Two days later they held a special Passover.

During these past days Peter saw an increasing number of pilgrims flocking to Jerusalem for the Passover and Days of Unleavened Bread. Many sheep and goats could be heard blatting and bleating along the trails below them as the herdsmen drove their animals along. Ceremonial preparations were common in homes at this time of the season. A careful search would be made through every nook and cranny of each private home for any scraps of bread or leaven, cleaning all of it out for the approaching Days of Unleavened Bread.

The servants in the temple were busily scrubbing the pots, pans and utensils, and collecting bitter herbs in preparation for the baking of unleavened cakes and the roasting of the Passover lamb. Peter was mystified that Jesus had instructed him to go into the city to prepare to "keep this Passover," and yet Jesus seemed to want to sit down to eat with them on the evening before the ceremonial sacrifice of the Passover.

Peter and John went to the large home that belonged to Joseph of Arimathaea, a wealthy and well known man in the area, and remained there for hours assisting the servants, overseeing the seating arrangements, helping to fill the large amphorae with water and being useful where they could.

Joseph's servants were quizzical and had questioned their master more than once, but he calmed them with an impatient gesture of the hand and simply told them, "The Lord knows what He's doing."

The household help couldn't seem to understand why all the frantic preparations for a big supper about eighteen hours early.

Following Jesus' lengthy teaching sessions of the temple that day, they wound their way through the streets, mingled with the crowds around the pool of Siloam, went out the water gate and traversed up to the main gate, seeking to lose themselves from any hangers-on who would identify them and report where Jesus was.

Winding their way through the narrow streets, sticking to the lengthening shadows of the taller buildings where they could, they came to the court below Joseph's house and, pulling the bell rope at the gate, were admitted by one of the maids.

Passing through the open courtyard and climbing the stairway to the large public room at the rear of the house, they entered the room where the servants had made ready.

There were more than one hundred and thirty of them in the room, counting the servants, and after they had all taken their seats and fallen quiet Jesus asked the blessing over the meal in a somber tone.

He looked around before bowing His head and said, "I have a deep desire to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. Because I'm telling you this is the last time I will eat it on this earth until it is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God! "

This saying disturbed Peter, but hope leapt within his breast, for he felt Jesus must mean that tomorrow, the day of the Passover, would be the day of the great final coup and the beginning of His kingdom. And, if He established Himself on the throne of Israel, then surely by next year He would be partaking of this same supper with His disciples in His kingdom!

After the sober blessing, the disciples were all talking excitedly among themselves, Peter discussing animatedly with Simon the Canaanite, Bartholomew and Cleopas, who was also there, how the Roman garrisons had been nearly doubled in size, and that very likely Jesus would seize the opportunity of the Passover on the very next night to rally the people by an overwhelming series of miracles!

The talk ebbed and flowed, servants replaced empty bowls with fresh ones, and the men ate with relish, for Joseph's household had prepared an exceptional Passover meal. There was roast lamb, kid and succulent dishes of cooked greens spiced with leeks. The mixture of bitter herbs and garlic gave a tangy taste to the lamb stew, and the hot, chewy loaves of unleavened bread had a little of the herb flavor too.

There were bowls of gruel made of barley and grape leaves, and there were cleverly arranged trays of nuts, dates, raisins and other delicacies to whet the appetite.

Peter reached for a specialty he liked, little rolled leaves of the grape stuffed with bits of chopped lamb, herbs, steamed barley kernels and wheat.

Peter noticed Judas was leaning over to speak in Bartholomew's ear now and then, and it seemed that Simon the Canaanite and the son of Alphaeus were nodding in agreement from time to time.

Peter listened as the conversation focused on who would be "the greatest" in the coming kingdom, and noticed both James and John animatedly arguing.

Peter had been disgusted more than once with the wife of Zebedee attempting to gain some special influence with Jesus, insisting that her two sons be given the chief seats, "seated on His right hand and His left" when He set up His kingdom. Not that Peter resented either one of them; he just felt Zebedee's wife and even the two men themselves were a little too eager to decide on just who was going to occupy what great high "office" in the kingdom.

As the meal wore on, Peter noticed four or five raising their voices in a full-fledged argument.

Jesus picked up a utensil and rapped sharply on the table with it, saying, "Now, wait just a minute! You all know that the kings of gentile nations exercise lordship over their subjects, and they that have authority over the people are usually called 'benefactors.' " Peter heard the distinct sarcasm in His voice, for the record of these so-called "benefactors" was bestiality and brutality of every sort, including the oft-repeated story of Herod's infamous assassination of all the children at about the time of Jesus' own birth.

"But among you it must not be that way! He that is greatest among you, let him become as if he were the youngest. And he that is the chief as if he were only a servant. Which is the greatest, he that sits at the table partaking of the meal or he that is doing the serving? Obviously it is he that is sitting at his table partaking of his own meat! Yet, here I am in the midst of you as one who serves. And you are those special few that have continued with Me in all My temptations and trials up to this time. I tell you I am appointing unto you a kingdom, even as My Father has appointed that kingdom to Me. You will eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and you will all sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel!"

They were all struck by these words, and an excited babble again broke out around the table, Peter sitting back, locking his big hands around one knee to ease his aching shoulders, and musing over Jesus' words. Jesus was showing them that this bright new kingdom would expand into all four corners of the globe and that soon nations where the "Diaspora" and those Jews of the Dispersion that were rumored to be in the isles far beyond the Gates of Hercules would be brought into lesser kingdoms, actually underneath the authority of these twelve men!

Peter was stuffed. He had partaken liberally of the delicious roast lamb and had helped himself to another serving of the entire course. He settled back, knowing Jesus would use this pleasant time for a long talk.

Peter remembered other Passovers, but never one like this—never such a supper, with everyone present and taking it one day early! Of course Peter realized Jesus knew what He was doing, and there was no prohibition to eat roast kid and lamb, as they were doing this evening, at any meal. After all, they had not ceremonially sacrificed any animals.

Jesus had been explaining how deeply desirous He had been, wanting to eat this special supper with them.

All through the evening Peter was struck by the somber, heavy tones in Jesus' voice, the strange things He was saying, and a growing excitement was building in him. Probably there would be no time for any formal meals after Jesus pronounced Himself King tomorrow; the meal they were eating might be the last pleasant time together for a long time to come, Peter mused.

Jesus must know something really monumental, something that would happen tomorrow!

There was no surer way of spreading the news throughout the entire known world than accomplishing the coup while Jews and proselytes were here from nations a thousand miles and more distant.

They were usually the wealthy and the influential. The average family could afford no such pilgrimages, what with the high costs charged by the average ship captains or caravan masters. Some saved for years just to make one trip of a lifetime, so there were always elderly, poorer folk of modest means in the city for the Holy Days, but they were usually in the minority.

The Romans had strengthened their garrisons; arrivals from the seaports told of a squadron of three sails that had stopped first at Tyre and then at Joppa, debarking several hundred soldiers.

Roman history made much of Hannibal's occupation of most of Italy, only little more than one hundred and seventy years ago, Peter knew. Why, the Carthaginian general had won over most of Spain and Gaul, fought his way over the Pyrenees, eluded the Roman force along the Rhone River and then come down into northern Italy by crossing the soaring Alpenine Mountains with his strange African cavalry: elephants! Though losing half his force, he succeeded in occupying the northern plains and later conquered cities clear to Taranto, save Rome itself.

The Roman military made it a policy to keep a nervous eye on potential Hannibals, and there was no more potentially volatile part of their shaky empire than right here in Judea!

Theudas had gathered his little force, and it took a long time, many soldiers and not a few deaths to catch him. Barabbas was no Hannibal, but there were plenty of the poor folk who would shelter him and who listened to his speeches about freedom.

The desperate desire for a promised Messiah was rumored even in the courts of Rome, and, while the Caesar himself may have scoffed at these simple peoples with their notions of one God and devotion to their fathers and prophets, he couldn't entirely ignore the fact that religious fervor was usually the fuel to fire a major revolution.

When would Jesus speak out plainly? When would He tell each man what his specific responsibilities were to be?

He talked of each disciple seated on a separate throne, judging over the tribes of Israel, and that meant some of them would be headed toward Gaul and the Norman Islands, beyond Hercules. Some would be crossing the mountains past Dacia, and others would be going east toward Babylon.

Would they use groups of men recruited from their earlier journeys? Would they need months, or years, to raise up a force in the countries to which they would journey?

Would they astound the local people with a series of great miracles first, coming among them like lesser Messiahs, of a sort, and gaining their respect?

They had the training for this, as Peter well knew. That had been a brilliant decision on Jesus' part, twice sending large groups out, two by two, and giving them the amazing powers to cast out demons from the poor souls who were paralytic, lunatic and sore troubled; healing blindness, deafness and dumbness; and preaching powerfully about the coming new kingdom to the people!

Peter was content to wait.

Jesus cleared His throat and began speaking again.

"All of you will be offended, because it is written, 'I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered abroad.' However, after I am raised up I will go before you into Galilee. "

Peter sat up suddenly, his face reddening. Jesus was going to be smitten? And what did He mean "raised up"?

Why would He be headed back up to Galilee, and why would all of them be going there again?

Peter was about to speak when Jesus looked over at him and said, "Simon, Simon, Satan has desired to have you so he can sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith does not fail. And I want you to do something, after you have turned again: strengthen and establish your brethren."

Peter was aghast.

Was Jesus implying he, Peter, would leave Jesus?

Did He mean He was going somewhere Peter could not follow, or suggesting that Peter wouldn't be able to keep up or stand the pace?

"Lord," Peter said firmly, "though every one of the others here should be offended, I never would! Why, I am ready to follow You no matter where You lead. I'll go to prison, if that's what's needed—I'll die beside You!"

"Will you, Peter?" was the quiet reply.

No one else spoke. All eyes were on Jesus, and several glanced between Jesus and Peter. Judas was enjoying this, liking to see the big fisherman discomfited, and there were a few knowing smiles.

"Will you really die for Me, Peter?" Jesus asked. "I'm telling you truly, before the night is over—this very night—before the cock crows you will deny me thrice!"

"No! No, Lord, never!" was Peter's impassioned response. Several more chimed in and said, "No! We would never do anything like that!"

"Even if they kill me, I will never deny you!" Peter said, and John said likewise, being joined by all the others, nodding and speaking out their affirmation that they would remain loyally by His side.

Jesus seemed to want to change the subject.

He asked, "When I sent you out without a purse or wallet, and without shoes, did you lack anything?"

"No, Lord, nothing," they answered, puzzled.

"But now he that has a purse let him take it, and him that has a wallet had better carry it. Anyone that has none should buy a cloak and, if he has none, buy a sword. I'm telling you that this which was written must be fulfilled,

"And He was reckoned among the transgressors.' "

At this, Peter and Andrew reached beneath the pallets and showed Him two swords. "Here are two, Lord," said Peter.

"That will be enough, Peter," He said—and then changed the subject again.

Peter decided not to press the issue, for he didn't want Jesus to say anything of a negative nature to him again this night.

Jesus got up from the table, laid away the outer layer of His garments until He was wearing only His loin cloth.

He then reached behind Him to a peg, took one of the large towels hanging there and wrapped it around Himself. Then He turned to one of the large stone amphorae, dipping into it with a basin, and began to fill a large bowl before Him.

He carried it carefully to the end of the table and, kneeling in front of Thaddeus and Simon, began to wash their feet!

Peter looked in amazement and watched Judas' face as he winked, rolled his eyes and grinned in hopelessness, shrugging his shoulders, as Jesus, head and shoulders bowed, began to wash his feet.

Peter became more and more concerned, realizing that Jesus was trying to drive home the lesson of being "among you as one that serves," but feeling He was overdoing it.

Finally, it was Peter's turn.

He said, "Lord, what in the world do You think You're doing? Are You going to wash my feet?"

Jesus looked at him steadily and said, "What I am doing now you don't understand, Peter, but you will understand afterward."

Peter blurted, "You're never going to wash my feet!"

Jesus retorted, "Peter, if I don't wash your feet you have nothing to do with Me whatever."

Peter was shamed—and his ears rang. Did Jesus really mean that?

Here it was again, one of those final turning points where Jesus laid it out for him plainly. Either he was going to duck his head and show the humility that the others had shown, and allow himself to be subjected to the same ablutions, or Jesus was saying they could break off their relationship right then and there.

Peter shook his head, and a grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. Finally, smiling broadly, he said, "Lord, You go right ahead—and wash my hands and my head as well! "

Jesus was grinning back and said, "He that has had a bath does not need to wash anything but his feet, but is clean every bit" then, looking at Judas, continued, and you are clean, but not all of you.

Jesus finished the washing of the feet of the twelve, replaced the basins, removed the water jars, swabbed up remaining water with a towel and, hanging it back on its peg behind the low table, got into His clothes again.

He sat down and the conversation stopped. "Do you know what I have done to you? You all refer to Me as Master and Lord, and you say well, for so I am.

"If I, then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. Because I have given you an example that you should also do as I have done unto you!

"I'm telling you plainly that a servant is not greater than his lord, neither one who is sent greater than the one who sends him.

"If you know these things blessed are you if you do them. And I'm not talking to every one of you, because I know each of you that I have chosen, and the scriptures must be fulfilled that say, 'He that eats his bread with Me lifted up his heel against Me.'

"It's true that he who receives whomever I send is doing the same thing as receiving Me; he who receives Me will receive Him that sent Me!"

Only moments later Peter heard Jesus say loudly for several to hear, "I'm telling you the truth that one of you right here at this table is going to betray Me! His hand is partaking of the food right here at this table, and that very hand is going to betray Me! But I'll tell you this," Jesus continued in a sober but piercing tone: "Woe be unto that man through whom I am betrayed!"

Peter was shocked.

Who could it be? Peter looked narrowly at Thaddeus, Bartholomew, over at Cleopas, and especially at Judas. Peter had wondered about Judas' influence that had been growing over Simon the Canaanite and several of the others, knowing that Judas had freely criticized Jesus from time to time.

John, seated a little beyond Peter, leaned further back, laying his head on Jesus' chest, and appeared to be whispering into his ear.

Peter and James also heard what Jesus said to John when He answered with a low voice, "It's the one to whom I'm going to give the sop."

With that, Jesus picked up a piece of the loaf, dipped it in the common vessel, swabbing up slivers of roast lamb with its juice, and leaned well over the table and handed it to Judas Iscariot.

Judas whitened, becoming angry. He sneered, "I suppose You think it is I, don't You, Rabbi?" Jesus said, "Well, you have said it!"

Peter watched Judas become nearly apoplectic with anger, his trembling hand reaching up to stroke his black beard as he struggled for composure and self-control. As the conversation began to grow again at the other end of the table, Judas found a time to lurch to his feet, hurriedly gather his garments and go hastily down the stairs.

Peter noticed Jesus was talking to John quietly again, and that John was looking up at Jesus, hanging onto His every word.

Then, as they were eating, a platter of steaming fresh bread was brought and set before Jesus, and He stood up and beckoned for silence.

He bowed His head and gave God thanks for the bread, and then began to break it into individual pieces. The flat loaves broke easily, for they were unleavened, and He began handing it to the disciples, walking along the tables, saying, "Take this and eat of it, for this is My body which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me! "

Peter realized Jesus was instituting some new custom in memory of this memorable night! He was showing that His whole being was totally dedicated as a sacrifice to His cause, to His great gospel message of the great good news about the coming kingdom. How often had He used the analogy of His own body, as if to encompass everything that He intended accomplishing? The recollection of how He had spoken of His body and blood that time, and how many were offended and quit as disciples, came to Peter.

Now He was taking a large vase of wine and asking God's blessing over it. With that, He passed it around, saying, "Drink of it, all of you, for this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many! I will not drink any further of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew with you in My Father's kingdom, the Kingdom of God!"

Peter drank solemnly, wondering at the great meaning of these solemn words. Jesus' whole life was fully committed, he understood. He had spoken of the new covenant, a whole new approach to the laws of God and the dealings of men, a way of life that would so far transcend the narrow, bitter hardships of his people in this land that the mind could not imagine the difference.

He spoke of this being the last time He would partake of wine until they were all drinking it together in the kingdom!

Peter was sure that Jesus would never go back on His word.

All the anxieties and doubts seemed to melt away as Peter's satisfied stomach, laced with the fine wine they had taken and the soaring importance of Jesus' speech, had its effect. He was sure now. Tomorrow was it. While fleeting moments of curiosity about Jesus' statements concerning death, and "going somewhere" where others couldn't follow, puzzled Peter, he fully intended following Jesus' admonition. He would have faith.

He would strengthen the others when they doubted.

He most certainly would stand by Jesus, no matter what, and he would show them all, especially Jesus, that he would never deny Him, that he could loyally fulfill his self-appointed role of protector and bodyguard.

After they had been seated again, Jesus spoke nonstop for about an hour. He spoke of Himself as the vine, and said they were branches that could bear no fruit except as they remained in Him. He talked of how the whole world would turn against them and hate them, saying, "If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you. If they keep my sayings (and they haven't), then they will keep yours also . . . If I had not spoken unto them of their sin, they would have a cloak for it, but now they have no cloak for their sin, and no excuse."

He talked of beatings and scourgings and of persecution.

During a pause, Peter was asked, "What was that He said, about 'a little while and you will see Me no more, and then a little while and you will see Me'?"

"I don't know," Peter answered, puzzled himself. "Why don't you ask Him?"

Several others were musing over the saying, not understanding it, when Jesus overheard the conversations.

He said, "Why do you inquire among yourselves concerning this that I said, 'A little while and you will behold Me not, and again a little while and you shall see Me'? Truly, truly, I am telling you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. A woman when she is in travail has sorrow because her hour is come, but when she is delivered of the child she doesn't remember the anguish for joy that a man child is born into the world. You have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your heart shall rejoice, and no one will ever take your joy away from you."

Peter was unable to follow the majestic things Jesus was saying, the way He slipped from analogy and simile back to reality. But soon, Jesus explained, "I have spoken to you in parables, but the hour comes when I will not speak to you any more in parables, but will speak plainly of My Father."

"Now we know you speak plainly and are not speaking any proverb," someone down the table said.

"I will pray the Father for you, because the Father loves you, and because you have loved Me and have believed that I came forth from the Father. I came from the Father, and I came here into this world. Now I leave this world and go to the Father. "

"Now you're talking plainly and speaking in no parables," someone else said.

"Yes. We believe and we know You are come from God. You don't need to ask anyone anything, and we know and believe that You have come forth from God," said another.

"Do you believe now?" He responded. "Look, the hour is coming—yes, it is here—when you will be scattered, every man looking out for himself, and will leave Me alone. Yet, I am not alone because the Father is with Me."

Peter didn't know what to say to such a strong remark.

He certainly didn't want to get involved again in any rebukes, so, instead of repeating his strong statement that he would never leave Jesus alone, he said nothing.

Peter wished it were possible to turn to lighter subjects, to somehow talk Jesus out of this terribly heavy mood He was in, to ask questions about their schedule tomorrow, what they would be doing first, and what tasks Jesus would ask them to carry out.

Would they be going to the temple again? Would they go to Annas' house, or to Caiaphas'? Would Jesus enlist the aid of Nicodemus and the others of the Pharisees who had at least some sympathies toward Him? Would He try to see Pilate and tell him this revolution need not involve the Romans?

There was so much to be done, and if tomorrow was going to bring forth some action Peter wanted to be ready.

The sword under his pallet was making him uncomfortable, so he shifted it slightly.

Jesus seemed to have finished his lengthy statement, almost like the most important single teaching He had ever given them since that time long ago, up on a mountainside overlooking Galilee, Capernaum and Bethsaida, when He had spoken for so long a time.

Now He finished by saying These things I have spoken to you that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world."

He used the Greek, and Peter knew Jesus had indeed completely kept Himself from any involvement in, or defilement by, the rottenness of this present society. The orgies of the Romans held no fascination for Him, and He had walked a perfect line, never deviating from His lofty principles once, never making a single misstep when it came to God's law, and was one of the most remarkable men when it came to controlling His own physical appetites that Peter had ever known.

He had seen Jesus drink wine but had never once seen Him take a drop too much, never seen Him join in any ribald remarks or make a pass at a servant girl, or pay any attention to money, preferring to let Judas handle their financial affairs.

He had certainly "overcome" the world. But Peter thought the remark went further. To him it meant Jesus had triumphed. He had prevailed. The current society was not fit to continue; it needed total change and a whole new way of things; that was why He had spoken about the "new covenant" that Jeremiah had described, and why He spoke of a government that exercised mercy and forgiveness.

Peter remembered the way Jesus had spoken to the woman taken in the very act of adultery, the way He had spoken mercifully and kindly to her, and yet had firmly said, "Go, and sin no more."

As Peter was thinking over the final statements of Jesus, he looked over at Him in time to see Him raise His eyes, and, looking up toward heaven, begin an eloquent, moving prayer.

Peter bowed his head and listened intently.

The prayer lasted for quite some time, and Peter was moved by the intensity of it, and especially how Jesus concluded by praying that the kind of love He felt for them would be in all of the disciples, and that the kind of love God had for Jesus would be inside them, and that He, Himself, would be like a part of them.

At length the supper was over. The men were sobered and not a little disturbed. Jesus had spoken of so many things, and had seemed desirous to communicate deeply to them, and then finished with that moving prayer.

When He concluded there were moist eyes about the table, and even some of the servants were moved, Peter saw, as they busied about the table cleaning up.

But Jesus sat still, looking about upon them all as if to savor these moments, and suggested a song.

The others agreed, and Jesus singled out a special one He loved from the Psalms. Looking around with a smile, He gestured out a beat and began.

The room rang with sound, and the men put back their heads and sang the hymn together, each thinking his own thoughts. Peter sang with his gruff voice, being careful to avoid letting too many hear him, for he couldn't carry the tune like Jesus could and thought of the many other times they had all fallen silent, listening to Jesus sing the songs of this land and of the Psalms.

At length the song was over, and Jesus sat for a few moments as if still hearing the last tones. Then He stood, and, beckoning them to follow, said it was time to start out of the city, cross Kidron and go back up to the Mount of Olives.

So they would be sleeping out again, Peter thought.

Well, it would be a tired, sleepy walk, and Peter had hoped they would be safe enough right here, but if Jesus went to Olives, Peter would go where Jesus wanted to go.

The last good-byes were said at the door, quietly, and they began quietly trudging along the streets, now sparse with foot traffic and nearly deserted, the noise of their passing arousing little attention. The lowing of cattle and bleating of sheep and goats were heard outside the main gate where the flocks were being kept.

The sounds fell behind them, and finally the low murmur of Kidron's waters could be heard. Jesus turned to the right, traversed the slopes and headed toward the garden they called Gethsemane.