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27. The Last Dinner 1 Jesus spent his last few hours of liberty quietly in the suburb of Bethany. It was the day of Passover. The Jews observed this feast by eating roast lamb and unleavened bread. 2 Jesus asked his disciples to go to town and reserve a room in one of the smaller inns and order a dinner that they might all be together. When evening came, Judas, looking bland3 and innocent, left the house together with the others. They went down the Mount of Olives and entered the city and found that everything was ready. They took their seats around one long table and began to eat. But it was not a cheerful meal. They felt the dread of those coming events which already were casting their terrible shadow over the small group of faithful friends. Jesus spoke very little. The others sat in gloomy silence. At last Peter could stand it no longer, and he blurted4 out what was in everybody s mind . Master, he said, we want to know. Do you have reason to suspect one of us? Softly Jesus answered, Yes. One among you who is now sitting at this table will bring disaster upon us all. Then all the disciples got up and crowded around him. They protested their innocence. At that moment Judas slipped quietly out of the room. They now all knew what was to come. They could no longer remain in that little room. They needed fresh air, and they left the inn and walked out of the gate and went back to the Mount of Olives and opened the wicket to a garden which a friend had told them to use whenever they wished to be alone . It was called Gethsemane5 , after an old oil-press which stood in a corner. After a while Jesus walked away from the little group. But three of the disciples who were closest to him, followed at a distance. | 
