An instrument, like a metal horn, sounded from above.

“First let us pray,” Peter said.

Jesus frowned. “But we have so little time,” he said. He did not want to pray. He wanted to explore!

Peter threw an arm around his friend. “Do not look so distressed. You will have your fill of this city, and all its hidden treasures. I promise!”

The two shepherds arrived at the bottom of the Temple’s great marble staircase. Still irritated, but unable to deter Peter, Jesus lifted Anna onto his shoulders and began to climb toward the sacred building. At the top was an entrance. Inside, Jesus saw groups of women, their heads bowed in homage. He moved to join them.

Peter grabbed him by the shoulder. “Not there!” he scoffed. “That is the women’s area,” he said. “Follow me.”

At a second entrance, Jesus smelled sweetness in the air and heard the wooden chanting of male voices. The boys removed their keffiyehs and prepared to enter along with a crowd of men. Without warning, a blond-headed priest stepped in front of Jesus and drew him aside. “No animals inside the Temple,” he said.

Jesus pulled himself from the priest’s grip. “But she is with me,” he challenged.

“That may be true,” the priest said, “but the Lord has forbidden animals inside His house.”

Jesus scowled at his assailant. “But does God not allow lambs inside the Temple in sacrifice?” he asked, having seen the animals’ bodies roasting on pyres.

Peter winced. He knew nothing good would come of questioning a priest. Especially during Passover.

“Of course!” the priest answered. “As offerings. To return to God what is rightfully His.”

“Then, by your reasoning, a lamb is fit to be in God’s house only when it is dead and cooked?” Jesus asked, goading him.

A group of men on their way inside turned to listen, curious that an adolescent, a simple shepherd at that, would question a priest.

Peter grew worried.

Jesus saw the crowd forming and became emboldened by the attention. Never before had so many people, so many men, taken notice of him. Or listened to what he had to say.

Peter leaned toward his friend. “All right, brother. You can have your way. We will pray some other time. Just follow me. And keep quiet!” he hissed, and tried to lead Jesus away.

“No, I want to know the answer,” Jesus said, holding his ground. His desire to protect, to defend, overriding his reason.

Peter panicked. “Why does it matter?” he hissed.

Jesus ignored him.

“According to Scripture,” the priest began with rising frustration, “a lamb is fit for God’s house only when offered in sacrifice.”

“And does the Scripture not also say that we are lambs of God?” Jesus said, recalling the topic from Peter’s morning prayers.

“Yes, of course,” the priest said with annoyance.