"Let us go," said Jesus to the Twelve, starting toward the lake shore.
The Zealot caught Jesus' arm. "But, Master...." He let go as Simon gripped his shoulder.
"He will be king all right," Simon told him. "But he is not the kind of king these people want. I am sure of that."
The crowd were dumfounded to see Jesus leave them so quickly. A few attempted to follow, but they soon realized that twilight was swiftly fading into the darkness of night and they turned back.
"You row across to Capernaum by yourselves," said Jesus to the disciples. "I will follow later." The wondering men got into the boat and rowed away. Jesus stood watching them as they disappeared in the deep twilight. Then he turned and walked alone into the shadowy hills.
"Sometimes I wonder if he knows what he is doing!" burst out the Zealot, bitterly disappointed. "What an opportunity! He just turned his back on them!"
"You know he has no desire for political power," said John.
"How can we ever establish the government of God if we never do anything practical?" asked the Zealot. "What will his teachings ever amount to unless we put them in the place of the old laws?"
Simon could not forget the words of Jesus. "He did not say, 'I am your King.' He said, 'I am the Bread of Life.'"
"What do you mean?" asked the Zealot.