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 Passover.  Such were the thoughts of the disciple, Judas Iscariot.  Sunk in deep reflection he walked through the streets that evening.  The pinnacles and towers glowed in the dull red of the setting sun.  He met several companies of soldiers:  a captain stopped him and asked if he did not come from Galilee?

“I suppose you’re asking about the Prophet,” replied Judas; “no, I’m not He.”

“But I’m certain you know about Him.”

Judas drew a deep breath, as if he were on the point of saying something.  But he said nothing, pursued his way, and came to the house where they were all gathered round the Master.

The room was large and gloomy.  A single lamp was suspended over the large table, covered with a white cloth, that stood in the centre, around which they were already seated.  The Master was so placed that the whole table could see Him.  A large dish with the roasted Paschal lamb stood before Him.  By its side were the Passover herbs in shallow bowls.  On the table were other bowls, and the unleavened bread baked for the festival in remembrance of the manna eaten in the wilderness.  Near the centre of the table was a beaker of red wine.  They were silent or speaking in whispers, so that the steps of Judas, as he entered, echoed.  He was almost terrified by the echo.  Then he greeted them in silence with a low bow and sat down, just opposite John, who was at the Master’s right hand, while Peter sat at His left.

There was solemn silence.  Their first Passover in Jerusalem!  Jesus took one of the unleavened cakes, broke it, and laid the pieces down.  James divided the lamb into thirteen portions.