The world-devouring dragon

A few days later, which is the first day of Passover, according to Jewish practice, believers will have a meal on this day to celebrate God's help in helping the Jews escape Egypt. Joshua and the Twelve Apostles are no exception.

But no one noticed that Judah took this opportunity to quietly go to the Jewish temple in Jerusalem. But except Joshua, who had already known all this, no one knew about his departure, but Joshua did not Open your mouth.

When the time came for the dinner, thirteen people gathered around a table. As the godfather, Joshua sat in the center as a matter of course, while the twelve disciples lined up one after another.

It was like eating and drinking like ordinary people, without any splendor, hymns or music. Even the room was a little cramped, but the thirteen people still ate bread together, prayed to God together, and washed hands together.

At the end, according to Jewish custom, they should sing together and agree to spend Passover together next year, but Joshua was uncharacteristically silent and looked around at his disciples.

The disciples looked at each other at a loss, but Joshua looked at the people in front of him and just smiled and said.

"Very good...everyone is very good."

Before the disciples could understand, there was a sudden noise outside the door, and a group of priests came in with their servants. As soon as they came in, they saw the people gathering in front of them and said loudly.

"Joshua! Your death has come!"

As he said this, several servants stepped forward to capture Joshua, but the disciples were unwilling. At that time, some of the disciples tried to pull out their swords, but then a voice rang out.

"No!"

Faced with the arrests of several servants, Joshua not only showed no resistance, but instead shouted loudly to stop his disciples' movements.

The disciples were stunned and stopped instinctively. Then several servants took the opportunity to take Joshua away. Even so, Joshua still struggled to look back at the disciples in front of him and shook his head. They don't want to move.

…

After Joshua was bound, not long after, first the Jewish chief priest saw him, and then for some reason, a long series of parchments appeared in his hand, which recorded what Joshua said during his sermon. Said all kinds of things, and then accused him of being a "fanatic of false words."

Regarding what the chief priest said, Joshua just closed his eyes and remained silent. He knew that this was just a formality. After all, he was also the leader of a sect. How could he kill at will? Naturally, he had to find an excuse first. It was just that he took the initiative to give the "excuse" parchment to the chief priest.

And it was indeed true. There was no nonsense. Immediately, the priests escorted him to Pilate, the governor of the Jewish province in the city.

According to the customs of the Roman Empire, it was basically to respect the customs and habits of local kingdoms, so on Passover, the empire would release a prisoner in accordance with local requirements.

When Joshua came, there was already a prisoner here, and when he looked at the prisoner, even Joshua was surprised.

"Libber?"

In front of him was exactly the same Lieber who had saved his father and himself, but who was later forced to become a robber because he resisted Pilate. But now, he already has another name.

Barabbas.

A bandit who was extremely famous within the Jewish Kingdom for his determined actions for Jewish independence.

And looking at Joshua in front of him, Lieber, or Barabbas, was also dumbfounded.

"How could you..."

In the hall, Pilate could not help but frown as he looked at the many Jewish priests in front of him and Joshua, who was covered in many wounds and in a state of embarrassment.

He has always been at odds with the Jews, but his relationship with the Jewish priests is actually good. After all, he also needs the help of the Jewish priests to manage the Jewish provinces, and the Jewish priests also need to please him to maintain their power. It can be said that both parties are mutually beneficial. .

"Who is this person?"

He spoke.

"This is a blasphemer who talks nonsense and claims to be the Son of God and the King of the Jews."

A Jewish priest spoke first.

Pilate looked at the Jewish priests and Joshua in front of him, and immediately understood that this was obviously the Jewish priests trying to use his hands to get rid of a person they didn't like.

He rubbed his temples, then turned to look at the priests in front of him.

"Today is the first day of Passover. I think you should decide who you want to let go as soon as possible, so you can save yourself the trouble of asking later."

The Jewish chief priest looked inside the temple, pointed at the only prisoner, Lieber, and said.

"Then let him go."

Lieber's eyes showed surprise, but then he looked at Joshua in front of him. He didn't know why Joshua was locked up, but he still said eagerly.

"No! You should let him go."

But Joshua just shook his head and looked at Lieber in front of him calmly.

"Let him go, then catch me."

Pilate didn't bother to pay attention to the relationship between the two, so he waved casually to the Jewish priests.

"Then leave it to you to handle it yourself."

…

Because of the chaos and mess in his residence, Judas stood at a loss. He listened to the many disciples beside him who seemed to be saying something, but he didn't notice it at all. He just walked to his room in a daze and sat on the bed. , was silent for a long time.

"Heh...hehe...hahahahahahaha..."

After a long time, he suddenly started chuckling, laughing and crying inexplicably.

"Thirty silver coins...thirty silver coins."

There was deep reluctance in that hoarse voice.

He bit his lower lip until it bled, and finally found a rope in the room, tied a knot, and hung it from the beam.

Bring a stool, step on it, and align your neck with the rope loop.

On that day, Joshua told Judah his plan. For a faith, a model that can be remembered is extremely important. Just like Moses in Judaism, if the church wants to develop, it cannot avoid having to sacrifice people. Instead of It is better to sacrifice yourself than to let others sacrifice.

Judas knew very well that his Lord had not told him all of His reasons, but when he accidentally saw the Lord's tired and haggard face in the reflective mirror, he realized something...

Unlike what Joshua thought, Judah understood the Lord in whom he believed much better than Joshua thought. He also understood the confusion that had always troubled Joshua.

From the beginning to the end, he did not believe in the Son of God, the Messiah, or doomsday salvation. In other words, he never believed in any gods or religions at all. For a person who deceives for a living, he has no confidence in everything. All are full of doubts.

But... when he saw the scene of that man preaching, he was shocked. What kind of perseverance and patience can a person be so willing to persuade those civilians who have no oil at all? Are you willing to heal so many country people?

He has never believed in God. Even if there is a God in the sky, he will not believe in Him, because God has never appeared in his most difficult time. Why should such a God be worthy of his belief?

Then, he didn't really believe anyone.

At least...he really wanted to believe what the guy who talked about love, forgiveness, and kindness all day long said, believed in the kingdom of heaven he talked about, and the salvation he talked about, because when he was most confused, it was such a guy who really He was willing to help him without caring about his bad reputation.

"..."

With a soft sound under his feet, his hanging body put great pressure on his neck, and he couldn't even breathe. Not long after, the sky and the earth darkened before his eyes, his brain gradually blurred, and only a vague picture could be vaguely recalled.

Among the many patients, the extremely gentle man shrouded in light like a god is patiently trying to save the patient in front of him...

In the palm of his loosened hand, thirty silver coins rolled to the ground.

The man felt that he had tampered with God's will and that he had deceived the believers, but as for Judas...

"Lord, you are the God in my heart..."