Thirty-Five

Jesus and the Emissaries went back to their camp near Ephraim, where Jesus informed them that on the morrow they would be entering Jerusalem, in preparation for the Passover.

Everyone realized that the confrontation was now about to occur, and Matthew hoped that there were enough Galileans and supporters of Jesus to tip the scales in his favor. But Jesus was sure to reiterate the claim that he was God, and when they made him King, then the Reign of God would come in his person; and it was anyone's guess what would happen. The slightest thing could turn everyone against him, and with a crowd such as was sure to be there, when that happened, stoning would be the most benign of all outcomes.

All began well--too well, in fact, to last. When they reached the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent a couple of people ahead, telling them to untie a young donkey with its dam, and bring them to him. They returned saying that the owners were Josiah and Amos, who recognized them, and were glad to lend them.

Jesus then mounted the donkey colt, and rode on it toward Jerusalem. When the people saw him, a huge crowd formed. Someone cut down a branch from a palm tree and waved it, shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" and soon almost everyone joined in, crying that Jesus was the King of Israel, and "Blessed is the one coming in the Master's name!" and strewing either palm branches or their own cloaks on the road in front of Jesus. The roar became deafening.

"Rabbi," shouted a Pharisee who came up, "curb your followers!" and Jesus answered, "Amen I tell you, if they were to be silent, the very stones would shout!"

Nathanael came over to Matthew and shouted, to make himself heard, "Do I not recall something about 'meek and riding on a donkey'?"

"Now that you mention it," Matthew shouted back, "it does sound familiar."

"You do not remember what it was? Some prophesy, was it not?"

"I cannot say. I simply seem to have seen the phrase before somewhere."

"Alas. I thought if anyone would know, you would."

"I am sorry."

All this was at the top of their lungs, since by then the crowd noise was deafening.

When they arrived at the Temple, things calmed down somewhat. The Pharisees and Sadducees were there, with difficulties that they hoped would discredit Jesus; but he calmly answered them all, in such a way that they were the ones who looked foolish, not he.

The Passover, of course, and its preparation were always confusing, with the narrow streets of Jerusalem crammed with people, donkeys, oxen, some horses, the soldiers trying to keep order, vendors of lambs shouting their wares, since every family had to have one for the feast on, as it appeared, the day before the Sabbath. There seemed to be a difference of opinion as to when the moon would actually be full, which was the beginning of the festivities.

But all this was compounded by the disputes that Jesus was having with his interrogators, and the shouting-matches that went on in the audience between those who held that Jesus had been totally vanquished by his accusers and those who were convinced that Jesus had demolished them. Matthew's head began to ache at the noise. It was impossible actually to listen to anything.

Matthew was also preoccupied by the fact that David seemed to have disappeared. He assumed that he was following Judas, who was also nowhere to be seen--which was not surprising, since Judas was doubtless buying what was necessary for the feast, and distributing money to the poor, and seeing to contributions that various people were giving to Jesus.

The tumult went on for several days, with Jesus leaving at sundown for the Mount of Olives and the Gethsemani Garden, which, surprisingly enough, the authorities had not found out about. True, the group was quite circumspect in going there. Jesus had seen to it that they did not go in a body, but severally, by separate routes; and since Jesus himself never seemed to be in any one of the smaller groups, the people did not know whom to follow.

Matthew caught sight of Longinus on one of the days. He was a centurion now, it appeared, and had his hands full managing the soldiers who were trying to keep the crowds from starting a riot.

Matthew beckoned him over. He approached, rather annoyed. "Yes? Is it serious?"

"It might be. I need to see Pontius as soon as possible."

"Is there trouble?"

"Not at the moment, but there might well be."

"Very well, I will take you to him now." He motioned to one of his subordinates to take over for a time, and led Matthew into the Praetorium, the fortress which was next to the Temple, strategically placed so that the Romans could keep watch on events.

"Matthew! It is a pleasure as always to see you," smiled Pontius. "At least I hope it is, at present. The times are very volatile."

"That is why I am here," answered Matthew. "I came to give you some counsel, so that you would avoid making a mistake."

"Mistakes are things I try my best to avoid," Pontius said, and his smile widened. "So far, I have been reasonably successful. Now, what is this advice you have for me?"

"It is possible that the crowds are going to declare Jesus King by acclamation."

"Indeed? I had heard rumors to that effect. So you believe that it will happen?"

"I believe it might. In the event that it does, I would advise you not to oppose it."

"Well, now, we cannot have kings being created under our noses, you know."

"The situation is this: the people are all enthused about Jesus because of many miraculous things he has done."

"I heard of some of them. Are they true?"

"I myself have seen things I could not believe were happening; just recently I saw a man called back to life after being four days in the grave."

"Indeed? Well, now, that is very impressive. Actually, I had heard of it myself. We do have sources, you know."

"I know. You think it was staged; but I was there, and it was not. But I realize I am not going to convince you, and that is not my purpose. What I am trying to say is that huge numbers of people believe that such things have happened. And they also believe that Jesus is, as he claims to be, the Prince who was prophesied hundreds of years ago."

"And?"

"And Jesus seems to be ready to accept their declaration of him as King, because he himself considers that he is that Prince."

"And is he?"

"If you ask my opinion, yes."

"But I gather that there are others who would disagree."

"And that is why I am here. Practically all of those in authority here consider him a fraud and a blasphemer, for various reasons. There are some who do not, but they are in a distinct minority, and in general are afraid to speak out. And so they will stop at nothing to prevent him from manipulating the crowds into declaring him King by acclamation--as he is quite capable of doing. He almost did so a few days ago, but for some reason considered it not yet opportune."

"Yes, I was aware of the--shall I say delicate?" And he smiled broadly "--situation. You will be gratified to know that we were prepared. Fortunately, nothing came of it."

"Well, what I wanted to say is that he is no danger at all from Rome's point of view. You already have a tetrarch that Rome can live with; Jesus would if anything be more tractable. As long as we can keep our religious rights, he will not meddle in Rome's business. --At least, that is what I think."

"Well, that is good news. Especially since it is not our policy to interfere in the religions of our subjects. But your point really is?

"My point is that you should not try to stop him. If you do, there is almost certain to be a riot, since he has the vast majority of the population on his side. You would not be able to contain it."

"Well, there might be two opinions on that matter also."

"It is conceivable that the authorities might be able to abduct him secretly, and rid themselves of him in that way. They will have to be extremely clever to do so; but if they do, I think it would be a mistake for Rome to step into the middle of what would almost certainly be a messy dispute."

"Well, Matthew, you have actually told me nothing that I did not know from other sources--some of them a bit closer to what I might call the 'other side' of the controversy." He smiled. "You understand. I am also sure that you understand that we do not like 'messes' as you call them, and will try our best to avoid them, if possible. If possible.

"But it was gratifying to hear your opinion, and I will certainly keep it in mind and weigh it carefully. I am, as usual, still impressed with your intelligence--and, I might say, wisdom."

"Then I will not trouble you further."

"It was a pleasure to see you once again, my friend." With the slightest ironic emphasis on "friend" and a broad smile and a nod to Longinus that the interview was over.

As Matthew left, what worried him--aside from his preoccupation with what David and Judas were up to--was the Passover dinner itself. It would be the ideal time for Jesus to be captured, if he were to be captured. There would be no crowd around, because everyone would be in his own house to eat the Paschal Lamb, and it would be at night.

And, given the fury of the authorities when Jesus made fools of their attempts to defame him, some sort of secret abduction seemed more and more likely, perhaps with the authorities claiming that Jesus had simply vanished, as was his wont. Would they be shrewd enough to take him without detection, and then somehow display him in a disgraceful light, to turn the crowds against him? It would be exceedingly difficult, but Jesus himself seemed to think it likely. In any case, if they were to move, it could not be in public, and so most probably would be at night, and so on the night of the Passover, Jesus and the Twelve would have to be specially vigilant.

On the other hand, as Matthew surmised from what he heard from the crowds, it was just possible that Jesus might succeed, particularly if he could avoid surreptitious capture. It seemed that he was timing the announcement for the Passover or the day after. He was priming the pump already. That very day he had asked the Pharisees how the Prince could be the son of David if David himself called him his Master in one of the psalms.

Everything was timing. So far, Jesus's timing had been perfect. God grant that it would last three or four more days!

Then one day, some people who spoke Greek approached Philip (who also spoke Greek fairly well) and asked if they could see Jesus. Philip, who did not feel up to doing anything on his own, sought out Andrew, and they went to Jesus and told him who wished to speak to him.

Instead of answering, Jesus drew in his breath. "The time has come for the Son of Man to show what he really is!" he said, looking at the people who had come behind them, and beyond them to the blue sky. Then he looked round at those of the Twelve who were near him, and said, "Amen amen I tell you, if a grain of wheat does not fall to the ground and die, it remains alone; but if it dies, it multiplies itself many times over." He was on a step, and looked down at his students, loving them. "Anyone who cares about his life," he said, "will lose it, and anyone who hates his life in this world will save it for eternal life! And if anyone wants to be my slave, he is to follow me, so that my slave will be where I am; and then my Father will show respect for anyone who follows me."

He closed his eyes, as if in pain, and shook his head back and forth. "But now my soul is in turmoil. And what should I say? 'Father, rescue me from this moment'? --But I came just for this moment! Father, show how great your name is!"

And then Matthew heard the thunder speak once again, and once again his hair stood on end: "I have shown it, and I will show it again!"

"Did you hear that?" said some. "The thunder?" said others. "No, it was words!" "An angel was speaking to him!"

"That voice," said Jesus, "did not speak for my sake; it spoke for yours. The present moment is the crisis of the world! Now is the time when the ruler of this world will be driven into exile! And if I am lifted up off the ground"--and he held out his arms--"I will draw everyone to myself!"

"Wait! Wait! Wait!" shouted the people. There were confused cries of, "We heard that the Prince will stay with us forever!" "How is it that you say this Son of Man is to be lifted up somewhere?" "Just who is this 'Son of Man'?"

"The light is with you for only a little while," said Jesus when he could be heard over the tumult. "Do your traveling while you have light, and do not let the darkness overtake you; people who travel in darkness do not know where they are going! And while you have the light, believe in the light, so that you will be children of light!"

Immediately the crowd broke into another uproar. Some were defending Jesus, and others kept saying, "Whenever we ask something sensible, he gives us poetry!"

Jesus slipped away in the confusion, and went back to Gethsemani. His disappearance was a signal for the students also to leave and meet him there.

On this afternoon, the day before what most were saying was the Eve of the Passover, some of the students asked Jesus where he wanted them to go to make the Passover dinner ready. Judas was among them. But Jesus singled out two others, and said to them, "Go into the city and you will meet a man there whom you will recognize. Tell him that I ask him if he knows a place where I can eat the Passover dinner with my students. He will show you a room, and you can make it ready. Today." The two students were a bit nonplused at this, but assumed that it was because of the danger they were all in. Matthew thought that, since it seemed to him clear that Jesus knew Judas would be the traitor, he was preventing Judas from knowing where they were going to eat the dinner, so that no betrayal could take place during it. Perhaps, thought Matthew, if Judas actually attended the Passover with the other students, Jesus might even be able to persuade him to remain loyal.

In any case, that evening, Jesus led them to the house in Jerusalem, telling them at the last minute that they would be eating the Passover dinner that night, instead of on the beginning of the Sabbath (which of course began at sundown the following day). Another ruse, thought Matthew, at eluding capture. If the authorities planned to take him during the meal, they would expect it to be on the morrow.

When they were almost there, David ran up to Matthew and said, "Master, I have been looking all over for you, and finally found you!" He took him aside, and whispered, "I saw Judas go into the house of the high priest, and as he came out, he went back to his own house, and I heard money clink inside his cloak! He has betrayed us, I am sure of it!" This only confirmed what Matthew was certain of beforehand, and apparently what Jesus knew; but he thought he should go and warn Jesus nonetheless.

But most of the students, including Judas, were already inside with Jesus. David said, "I will wait for you in the garden. Tell the Master; he will know what to do!"

By the time Matthew entered the room, however, the students were already lying on the dining-couches, and as Matthew took his place, Jesus nodded to see that the number was complete, and rose, took off his robe, and picked up a towel and a basin and went to the students to wash their feet.

"Master, are you going to wash my feet?" asked the Rock.

"You do not understand what I am doing at the moment," said Jesus. "Afterwards, you will see what it was."

"You will not wash my feet!" exclaimed the Rock. "Ever!"

Jesus looked over at him, with sn enigmatic smile. "If I do not wash you, you will have no share in the inheritance I am to receive."

"Oh, well, then, Master, not just my feet! Wash my hands and face also!"

Jesus laughed and said, "One who has bathed needs only his feet washed; the rest of him is clean. And you people are clean." He looked around at them. "Though not all of you," he added, seriously.

He knows, thought Matthew, looking over at Judas, who was keeping himself perfectly composed, and even thoughtful. It was almost as if he were waiting to see if he would carry through what he had planned or not. He even did not flinch when Jesus came to him and, like a slave, washed his feet.

After he had finished and put his robe back on and lain down again, he said to all of them "Now. Do you know what I have done to you? You call me 'Teacher,' and 'Master,'--your owner--and you are right. That is what I am. Now if your Master and Teacher washes your feet, you ought to wash each other's feet. I have given you an example to follow."

Everyone looked around, wondering if he meant this literally, or if it was another metaphor. "I am not speaking to all of you," said Jesus. "I know the ones I chose. I am saying it to fulfill what was written, 'One who is eating bread with me has raised his heel to stomp on me.' And I am telling you before it happens, so that when it does happen, you will believe me."

He went on talking, but everyone had caught what he was driving at and began talking at once to each other. Jesus then shuddered and sobbed out, "Amen amen I tell you, one of you will betray me!"

So it had not happened yet, thought Matthew. Judas must have made the agreement, but Jesus had surprised him by eating the Passover a day early. Jesus had to be giving him a chance to change his mind.

Everyone else was concerned that it might be himself, and began asking Jesus. John, who was in the seat of honor in front of Jesus, leaned back and whispered something to him, and Jesus whispered back.

Matthew saw this out of the corner of his eye, because he was watching Judas closely. Then Jesus dipped a piece of bread in the sauce and handed it to Judas. He had seen him whisper to John, and evidently took this as a signal, because his expression changed. Jesus saw it, and said, in a voice of resignation, "Do, then, what you were to do; but be quick about it." And Judas left.

It was night.