A Story of God and All of Us Young Reade - By Roma Downey Page 0,39

experience.

Jesus hears the sound of an approaching mob. Their torches light the base of the hill, and their excited voices cut through the night. Jesus' head is still bowed as he now prays for the strength to carry out God's plan. Sweat continues to fall. Now that God's will is confirmed, resolve washes over him.

Not peace, for what he is about to endure cannot bring the gentle calm of peace. Just resolve. "Your will, Father, is mine."

Jesus rises from his knees and stands alone in the grove of olive trees. His disciples suddenly burst over the rise and surround him protectively. A line of torches looms in the darkness, marching steadily toward Jesus.

"The time has come," Jesus says to everyone and no one.

Judas has reappeared and kneels behind Jesus, as

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if in prayer. Then he leans in and kisses Jesus on the cheek.

Jesus does not feel anger or contempt. He tells Judas, "Judas, you betray the Son of man with a kiss?" Jesus understands Judas's role is necessary for God's plan to be fulfilled.

A horrified Peter watches as Jesus is shoved forward, grasped on both arms by strong men and surrounded by a half-dozen others, hooded, and dragged off.

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PART NINE

DELIVERANCE

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Jesus' followers have gathered at the temple. Disciples Mary and John make their way through the crowd of tents and sleeping, uneducated, largely unsophisticated pilgrims. The temple guards glare at them, recognizing them from their many appearances with Jesus.

Mary Magdalene notices the distraught face of Mary, the mother of Jesus.

She wanders through the crowd. They rush to her side.

"Mary! John! Where is my son?"

"Jesus has been arrested, but we don't know where they've taken him,"

responds Mary Magdalene.

"Arrested?" replies Mary. "At night?" Ever since the angel Gabriel told her she was going to give birth to the Messiah, Mary has known this day would come.

John glances around at the crowds. "He's not here.

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They must have taken him someplace secret. So they won't have any protests."

The sun rises low and red over the temple.

The doors of Caiaphas's palace swing open. Peter is standing just outside as Jesus is dragged out. Throughout the night, Peter's own life has been in jeopardy as he has waited to hear what has happened to Jesus, hoping somehow he can help.

Malchus reads from a proclamation: "Let it be known that Jesus of Nazareth has been tried by the supreme court of temple elders. He has been found guilty of blasphemy and threatening to destroy the temple. The sentence is death."

A large guard approaches Peter. "You... I know you."

Peter doesn't scare easily. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"You know him," says the guard, grabbing at Peter. "I heard you call him Rabbi."

"No," says Peter. "He's nothing to do with me."

"He's one of them," a woman screams, pointing at Peter.

He spins around and confronts her. "I tell you, I don't know him."

Peter sees Jesus being hauled away, and he is

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frustrated by his inability to help Jesus, who means so much to him. The rooster crows, and Peter remembers Jesus' words that he would deny knowing his beloved friend and teacher before dawn. The rough, gruff man sobs in agony.

Pontius Pilate is tending to governmental matters when Caiaphas is announced.

"Governor, we need your help," says Caiaphas. "We have convicted a dangerous criminal and sentenced him to death."

"And? When is his execution?"

Caiaphas moves closer, spreading his hands as if in explanation. "We--the Sanhedrin--cannot carry it out. It's Passover, you see. It's against our law."

Caiaphas punctuates his tale by bowing his head deferentially. Pilate looks at him with distaste.

"So do it after Passover," says Pilate. "Surely the man can live a few more days."

"Normally, I would say yes. But this man is an urgent threat--not only to us but also to Rome. He claims to be our king and is using that lie to whip my people into rebellion. This man could very well tear Jerusalem apart."

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"I am quick to punish criminals," Pilate snarls, "but only if they break the law.

I need proof that this man has done so--or Rome will not be pleased."

"He has broken the law, Prefect. I assure you," Caiaphas replies.

"You had better be right," Pilate grumbles, fixing Caiaphas with a deadly gaze. "If you're wasting my time, you'll pay for this." He looks at his guards.

"I'll see the prisoner."

Jesus is held by two guards in Pilate's cells. Pilate looks at Jesus. After a long pause, he asks, "Are you the King of the Jews?"

Jesus says nothing.

"They say you claim to be King of the Jews."

"Is that what you think,