With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer.
His brother-friends. One final time. Meat and drink and bread against the darkness ascendant.
And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them.
And let the common become the divine.
This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is shed for you.
They will not understand until the end–when shame and darkness cloud their eyes–what has been done. And so he shocks them.
Behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
Sputtering, arguing, fighting. And Judas refuses to meet his gaze. But he must show them the way. They do not understand. They do not understand.
He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
Yes, as if for battle. For the first of the cups was come.
For he knew who should betray him.
And still Judas would not meet his gaze.
Ye are not all clean.
Deep from his chest came a strangled sigh. The knot was forming. His eyes followed Judas out the door. And now the second cup.
Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat.
Another betrayal. The Powers had seduced one. They would fight for another. Peter’s rapid protest did not matter.
I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.
They left the room in darkness. As the shadows gathered beneath the trees, so did they.
Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.
And now the third cup. Such a price to see the dawn.
* * *
The fourth cup lies somewhere ahead in darkness. Jesus has been arrested.
We watch and we wait.
G. C. Jeffers 
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