The Redeemer (27 page)
“I tell you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine again until the kingdom of God comes.”
“All right. It’s about time.”
“Let’s celebrate!”
Then Jesus took the bread, gave thanks, and broke it, and gave it to them. “This bread is my body broken for you; when you take it again, remember Me.”
“How could we forget You, Lord?”
“What do You mean
broken
?”
Then Jesus picked up the cup of wine again.
“This wine is the new covenant in my blood, which will be poured out for you. When you drink it, remember that this blood takes away the sin of the world.”
Blood! I knew it. How many eons have I tried to figure out why Satan is so paranoid about a covenant involving blood? Jesus’ blood will take away sin, but how? And whose sin?
The men stopped celebrating and murmured among themselves. Jesus’ face was sad, and His eyes were downcast. John touched His arm and spoke softly.
“What is it, Lord? Why are You so troubled?”
“Yes, Master,” Thomas said. “Shouldn’t You be excited that the kingdom will be here tomorrow?”
Everyone watched as Jesus lifted His eyes and looked at the face of each of His men.
“Tonight one of you will betray me.”
At first no one said anything, and then each man struggled to find words.
“But how—and to whom?”
“Why would we do it, Lord?”
“We have nothing to gain and everything to lose if something like that happened.”
“Is it I?”
“Lord, is it I?”
Jesus didn’t respond. Finally Peter, out of line of sight from Jesus because of the seating arrangement, mouthed the words to John.
“Ask Him to tell you who it is.”
John nodded and whispered to Jesus.
“Who is it, Lord?”
Jesus looked around the table then took a piece of bread from the basket.
“The one who dips his bread into the dish with mine is the one, but say nothing.”
Nobody else heard what Jesus said to John. Not even Judas. He was busy talking to Matthew when he dipped his bread into the bowl without turning his head—until his fingers bumped against Jesus’ hand, spilling the oil onto the table. Startled, he turned around to face the Son of God.
“I, uh, I’m sorry, Jesus, I didn’t mean to…”
“If you’re going to do it, do it quickly,” Jesus said in a low voice.
“I don’t know what You mean,” Judas lied.
At that moment Satan appeared between Judas and me.
“Move,” Satan said as he pushed me out of my place.
“Gladly,” I hopped over the table and took refuge behind Peter. Satan spoke right into Judas’s ear.
“Don’t waiver, Judas. You know what has to be done. You’ll be the true savior of Israel, just like Caiaphas promised. Jesus will never let Himself be taken captive. He’s the Messiah; make Him act like it.”
Judas couldn’t see Satan, but Jesus could. I don’t know whether Jesus was talking to Judas or to Satan when He spoke.
“Everything is set, and you can’t change it. Go away from Me now.”
“This is Your fault. You’re making me do it,” Judas said as he fled out the door without another word. Satan looked as if he were leaving too, but instead he turned back to Jesus.
“Still not too late to change Your mind, Son of Man. My offer stands.”
“I will do what My Father has sent Me to do.”
“Let’s see how You feel later—after reality sets in.”
“You know where to find Me.”
I was straining to hold myself back, waiting for Satan to leave. When he finally disappeared, I ran from one disciple to another trying to make them hear me and realize what had happened.
“Somebody, pay attention. Judas is gone. You can stop him if you hurry.”
“Peter, listen to me,” I said as I got between him and his wine goblet. “Before you anesthetize your brain, think! Try to remember what Jesus warned You about. This is it; you’re out of time.”
I was so frustrated. I plopped down on the floor, grabbed my tail, and chewed on it. Then when Peter put his hand on Jesus’ shoulder, I took hope that maybe I’d gotten through to him after all.
“Don’t You worry, Lord,” he boasted in his wine-induced bravado. “We’re going to fight for You no matter what happens. You can count on us.”
“That’s right, Lord. We’re all in.”
“All for one, and one for all.”
Jesus shook His head sadly.
“Before this night is over, all of you will abandon Me.”
“Never!”
“Not us!”
“Where’s Judas?”
“He was here just a moment ago.”
“I think he said something about going out for more bread. He wanted to get something for the poor for the Passover meal.”
Peter swaggered over, nudged John out of the way, and sat down next to Jesus.
“Don’t You worry, Lord, if all these guys abandon You, I never will. I’ll go to prison for you. I’ll die for You if I have to.”
“That’s good to know, my friend,” Jesus said as He flicked a bread-crumb out of Peter’s beard and patted him on the arm, “because Satan has asked to sift you like wheat.”
“Sift?”
Peter’s wine glow faded quickly. The other men chuckled at his instant sobriety. Peter’s face reddened again, but this time from being teased.
“I’m not afraid. I’ll fight him if I have to.”
“Yes, I know,” Jesus said as he lightly punched Peter’s arm again. “You’re a rock.”
“Nobody messes with You while I’m around, Lord, or Satan will soon find what I’m made of.”
“Yes, he will, and before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will have denied knowing Me three times.”
Peter blustered out a few words about how Jesus must be wrong until Jesus held up His hand and the blustering ceased.
“My hour has almost come. It’s time for us to leave.”
Jesus readied Himself and headed out the door. The disciples fumbled about looking for their sandals and cloaks; they had not expected to be going out after dinner.
“Where are we going at this time of night?” Thaddeus asked.
“We don’t all have to go, do we?” James said. “Maybe one of us should stay here just in case.”
“In case of what?” Peter snapped. “In case I don’t want to be anywhere near you now that you’ve dared Satan to come after you.”
“That’s right,” Philip said. “What were you thinking?”
“Stop asking questions and tie your sandals. We’re all going.”
“Where’s Judas?”
Jesus led them down the deserted street toward the Mount of Olives. When they got there, He insisted on being by Himself.
“Now, you all stay here. I’m going alone to pray. And you pray too, that you don’t fall into temptation. Stay awake and on the alert.”
When Jesus had moved out of hearing, the men began asking Peter what was going on.
“What are we supposed to be on the alert for?”
“You heard everything I heard,” Peter replied. “Find a place to sit down and pray like He said.”
“Are we going to be out here long? I didn’t bring my coat.”
“I’m going to pray silently with my eyes closed.”
“That’s a good idea. Let’s all do the same.”
“Where’s Judas?”
Soon they were sound asleep. I tried to wake them up, but I was no match for the food and wine they’d consumed at dinner. I went in search of Jesus. He was sitting on the ground with His head in His hands. A sudden and overwhelming reverence stopped me from going nearer. I hid behind an olive tree, not making a sound. Jesus stood up and paced back and forth. Then He dropped down on His knees and clasped the edges of a nearby rock.
“Abba!” He cried out.
He called Him Daddy!
As Jesus called out to His Father, I felt guilty, as if I were eavesdropping on the most intimate of conversations. I tried not to violate His privacy by shutting my eyes, covering my ears, and humming; but it was no use, I heard every word.
“Abba, is there some other way to do this? If You are willing, take this cup from Me.”
I gasped at His vulnerability.
All at once, the night birds screeched loudly and flew away as if being pursued by some horrible predator. The underbrush rustled from the scurrying feet of the small animals as they ran to take cover in their burrows. Jesus raised His head when He heard the footsteps of the uninvited guest who had joined Him. He leaned back against a gnarled tree as Satan appeared and sat down on the rock that had been an altar only moments before. I dropped lower to the ground, afraid to breathe.
“So, the Son of Man has doubts after all.”
Jesus didn’t respond. Satan looked hard at Him, trying to read His soul. He’d done it to me so many times I knew right away what he was doing. My soul is so transparent it’s no challenge to him at all, but not so for Jesus. He gave nothing away.
“You didn’t think You would be so afraid, did You, Adonai?”
Satan sighed as a concerned friend might upon discovering that another friend had naively believed a lie and was about to face horrible consequences. “Perhaps You’re ready to listen to the voice of reason. It’s not too late to save Yourself. You still have a choice. You can be Adonai, the Son of God, or You can be Jesus, the Son of Man, but You cannot be both. Call it off; go back to the third heaven. If You insist on playing this charade to conclusion, I will destroy You. I have the power.”
“You have no power over Me.”
“Did You really believe You could become like one of them—a human—lay Your powers aside, and face me as a man and somehow win? How did He convince You to sacrifice Your deity for the sake of His ego?”
Jesus didn’t answer.
“You know they’re coming for You. You can still save Yourself and reverse the madness.”
Jesus remained silent as Satan grew impatient.
“Or will You let Judas be the pawn of history in Your great self-destruction? He didn’t sell You out for money. He wants You to act like God. They all do.” He gestured toward the sleeping disciples. “So far, You’ve been a big disappointment.”
Jesus picked up a twig and snapped it between His fingers. Satan stood up as if he were about to leave.
“Oh, and one more thing. About the cross—You’re not going to get there. Sorry, You seem to be looking forward to it so much.” Satan snarled his sarcasm. “I can’t allow You to fulfill prophecy. They will flog You to death first. Too bad. Caiaphas will be disappointed; he hoped to watch them crucify You. He’ll get over it in time. He’ll be satisfied to see You die any way it happens.”
Jesus stood up, and Satan took a step back. When he spoke again, a hint of desperation had crept into his voice.
“I heard You ask Your Father to let this cup pass from You. How many things has He ever refused You? He has to do what You say. I believe You’ve defaulted on a technicality.”
Jesus raised His arms and spoke so forcefully it knocked me back down and sent Satan stumbling backward.
“Father! Not My will but Yours be done.”
“NO!” Satan yelled at God.
All at once, the wind blew like a hurricane. Thunder rumbled across the sky like a falling mountain as the earth beneath trembled and broke apart. Rocks tumbled from their places, and trees bent over, touching their heads to the ground, as ten thousand angels with flashing swords descended. I almost had a heart attack. The power and majesty of the heavenly host surrounded Jesus as Michael stepped between Jesus and Satan.
“This is not your fight, Michael!” Satan challenged.
“Never said it was. Yahweh commanded me to bring you a message.”
My mind raced back to the day Gabriel stood in front of Satan with a message from God.
Michael pointed his sword not two inches from Satan’s heart.
“Game over.”
Instantly Satan was gone.
The heavenly host bowed low before Jesus, and so did I.
“I must go alone from here,” Jesus said firmly.
He blessed them and sent them away. Michael was the last to leave. Before taking flight, He turned back and saluted Jesus.
So did I.
J
ESUS RETURNED TO
find the disciples asleep.
“Wake up,” He said loudly. “Why are you sleeping?”
“Wha–what? Huh?” Peter answered groggily. “I wasn’t asleep. I was resting my eyes.”
“Couldn’t you stay awake and pray with Me for one hour?”
“I just this minute dozed off,” James said as he got up and searched for his sandals.
The rest roused themselves and shook the dust off their clothes, each protesting that he hadn’t been asleep at all.
“I was meditating on the Word,” John said.
“Quiet,” Jesus said. “Someone’s coming.”
We heard the voices of several men and saw the glow from the torches they carried as they drew near. Judas was leading the way.
“Relax, it’s nobody,” Peter answered. “It’s only Judas. Hey, Judas, where’ve you been?”
Judas didn’t answer but went straight to Jesus and kissed Him on the cheek.
“Look at that,” Peter teased as he lightly punched Judas on the arm with his fist. “He’s trying to make points for a better slot in the cabinet.”
Judas turned and ran away.
Peter, pay attention! The men with Judas are soldiers with swords.
Then he noticed.
“Say, what’s going on here? Judas! Come back here!”
Judas was out of sight.
“Who are you looking for?” Jesus asked the soldiers.
“Jesus of Nazareth.”
“I am He.”
“You’re under arrest.”
“On what charge?” Peter stepped between the soldier and Jesus.
The soldier tried to push him aside, but Peter, never one to worry about action and consequence, pushed back and grabbed the sword from the soldier and cut off his ear.
“Peter, what have you done?” John yelled.
Jesus picked the ear up from the ground and stuck it back on the man’s head.
“Let me see,” said another soldier as he examined the reattached ear. “How did You do that?”
“Never mind,” Jesus answered. “Do what you came for.”
They tied Jesus’ hands behind His back and led Him away as the disciples stood helplessly by, too much in a fog to do anything.
“Where are they taking Him?”
