Summary

The night of April 4 AD 30, Jesus has much to do in a short time, so he prepares a last meal in order to define his life and say goodbye to the disciples, as he must trust to continue his legacy.

Meanwhile, while the city frantically prepares for Passover, Pontius Pilate is grateful not to deal with the Jews and their problems since Caiaphas and the priests avoid his palace for fear of becoming impure by association with the Romans. The Romans' crucifixion death squads prepare for the next day when they will execute a common murderer named Barabbas and his two accomplices, but they do not mind their bloody job which is to send the message that "Rome is all-powerful. Violate its law and you will die a grisly death" (page 218).

In the evening, Jesus leads his disciples to a room in the Lower...