He began to rise, but I tentatively placed my hand on his shoulder and he settled back in his chair. With his heavy voice resounding against the walls of the peristyle and his dark eyes snapping in cadence to his words, it was difficult to picture this man ever denying his master three times in one night.

“Forgive me, Peter. I am merely trying to understand a very complicated matter, and I am more confused now than ever. I have heard from many, including yourself, that Jesus offered his life in sacrifice for all mankind, as a ransom to hasten the coming Kingdom of Heaven. Am I to conclude that Jesus hoped to accomplish, through his own death, that which he had been unable to bring about with his teachings? Was there not a better way to accomplish his goal, a way that would have left no doubt in anyone’s mind as to who he was and what he intended to do for his people?”

“How?”

“In the course of my investigation I have been unable to uncover a single report of any miracle performed by Jesus during his last week in this city. With the vast crowds in Jerusalem and the Temple for Passover week, instead of attacking the money-changers, the high priests, the Pharisees, and other authorities, would it not have been far wiser for Jesus to perform a single miracle for the multitude, a miracle so majestic and inspiring that all manner of men, even the chief priests, would have recognized that he was truly their Messiah—and even the Son of God?”

Peter leaped to his feet and leaned toward me until his perspiring face was only a few inches from mine.

“He did!”

“He did what?”

“He did perform such a miracle as you have just described!”

“How? What miracle?”

“Jesus allowed himself to be tried and tormented and scourged and crucified and buried as a man. On the third day he walked out of his tomb as the Son of God, and the special conditions in the tomb were as he left them—not to fool the people but as a sign to them that he truly had been raised from the dead by his Father!”

Long after Peter had departed, Joseph and I continued to sit at the table, sipping wine but saying little. Peter’s aura and charisma still lingered around us. Finally the old man said, “Matthias, despite the disappointment you may be experiencing, I believe you have made great progress.”

When I didn’t reply he continued.

“You have already spoken with James, the brother of Jesus; with Matthew; with James, the son of thunder … and now Peter. Tell me, do you still believe that these men you have met are the kind who would risk their lives, every day in this city, preaching a resurrection of Jesus that they know is a lie? And for personal gain and power?”