The Last Temptation of Christ Page #12

CUT TO:

EXT. OUTSIDE JERUSALEM - NIGHT

Judas, who has been looking for Jesus, finds him alone on

the road leading out of the city. He sits beside him.

JUDAS:

I've been looking all over for you.

For two days. We're really worried

about you. I have to tell you. They

killed Lazarus.

Jesus collects his thoughts.

JESUS:

Who?

JUDAS:

Zealots.

JESUS:

Your people. Why?

JUDAS:

Because he was the living proof of

your power. Zealots say you're paid

by the Romans to tell the people

only heaven is important. Not their

life now. Not being dominated by

Romans. That's very dangerous.

JESUS:

(quietly)

Yes. It make everything clearer.

JUDAS:

Clearer? What are you talking about,

clearer? It just makes everything

worse. We want a revolution, the

Zealots want a revolution but now

they're against us. We can't let

that happen. We need them.

JESUS:

Do you want to join them, then?

JUDAS:

No. They're my brothers, but you're

my master.

JESUS:

You are the strongest, aren't you?

Of all my friends, you're the

strongest. I have to tell you

something.

JUDAS:

Tell me whatever you want. You can

depend on me.

JESUS:

You know why I came to Jerusalem?

JUDAS:

This is where we're going to fight.

This is where the revolution's going

to happen.

Jesus nods.

JESUS:

Last night Isaiah came to me.

JUDAS:

(eager)

What did he say?

JESUS:

He opened his book and I read in

giant letters:
'He has borne our

faults; he was wounded for our

transgressions. He was afflicted,

yet he opened not his mouth. Despised

and rejected by all, he went forward

without resisting, like a lamb led

to the slaughter.'

JUDAS:

(pause)

So? What does that have to do with

you?

JESUS:

Judas. I'm the lamb. I'm the one who

is going to die.

JUDAS:

What do you mean, die? Die? Did you

change your mind again.

JESUS:

No.

Judas jumps up.

JUDAS:

Then what are you talking about?

That can't be. If you're the Messiah,

why do you have to die?

JESUS:

Don't shout. You'll understand soon.

At first I didn't understand myself.

JUDAS:

Every day you have a different plan.

I can't believe it. First it's love,

then it's the ax, now you have to

die. What good could that do. We

need you alive.

JESUS:

I can't help it. God only talks to

me a little at a time. He only shows

me as much as I have to know. Now I

finally understand. All my life. All

my life I've been followed. By

footsteps. By voices. By headaches.

By shadows. And you know what the

shadow is? It's the cross. I have to

die on the cross. And I have to die

willingly... We need courage, Judas.

We need faith. I'm the fulfillment

of the prophecy. The cross is the

way I have to take.

Judas is dumbfounded, and his anger is mounting.

JESUS:

So we go to Jerusalem. We go back to

the temple. Whatever happens there

will put me on the cross.

JUDAS:

(barely controlling

his anger)

And after you die on the cross? What

happens then?

JESUS:

I'll come back to judge the living

and the dead.

JUDAS:

(pause)

I don't believe you.

JESUS:

If you don't believe, nobody will.

You have to believe. You're the

strongest.

CUT TO:

EXT. OUTSIDE JERUSALEM - DAY

A blazing sun. Jesus and the disciples on the march. Following

close behind is an entourage of twenty toughs.

James turns to Judas.

JAMES:

I'm worried he's going to change his

mind again.

JUDAS:

No he won't. We're taking the temple.

JAMES:

What if we don't.

JUDAS:

We'll die.

JAMES:

(looking around)

There aren't many of us. And nobody

back there looks like a soldier.

JUDAS:

God will provide.

Near them, Nathaniel and Philip are talking.

NATHANIEL:

What do you want?

PHILIP:

What do you mean?

NATHANIEL:

When we build the New Jerusalem and

set up the new government.

PHILIP:

(thinks)

Well, I guess I'd like more sheep.

You know, my other sheep, I don't

even know where they are now. This

time I want a large herd. I'd hire

other shepherds to take care of them.

You know, Laban, that man who has a

large farm north of Tiberias? I'd

like one like that.

NATHANIEL:

Yeah.

PHILIP:

How about you?

NATHANIEL:

First, I'd like to be able to worship

in the temple. I mean really worship --

without Roman banners and soldiers

standing around.

PHILIP:

(nods)

Of course. But what else?

Behind them, John, Andrew and Thomas argue.

THOMAS:

I'm not afraid.

JOHN:

Then don't act like it.

THOMAS:

I'll do anything the Master asks...

anything but get crucified.

ANDREW:

You're a coward.

THOMAS:

Call me a coward after you've been

hanging up there for two days and

the crows come and suck out your

eyes.

JOHN:

I made my decision. If you can't

make yours, leave now before we enter

the Kingdom.

THOMAS:

(touches his chest)

I'm ready. I have my knife.

Peter passes by and rushes a little anxiously to catch up

with Jesus, who is walking at the front of the line.

PETER:

I've been talking with the others,

and listening, and a lot of us are a

little concerned, we're wondering...

well... will you have legions of

angels meeting us there? Or anyone?

Besides who's here?

Jesus doesn't answer, but he puts his arm around Peter's

shoulder.

CUT TO:

EXT. JERUSALEM - DAY

Jesus and his followers -- about a hundred strong -- pass

through "The excavations around Jerusalem." The city wall is

behind them. More people begin to join the ranks.

They enter "St. Stephen's Gate" (the arch over a pool of

water). The mob grows around them. Some have palm branches.

They are now in the "Underground City." Jesus is riding a

donkey. Women and children wave palm branches, throw flowers,

lay down palms and shawls in Jesus' path. They cheer "Rosanna,

Rosanna."

A new chant -- abetted by Judas and his followers -- goes

up:
"Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews."

The procession reaches the temple plaza. Jesus dismounts and

looks around.

Outside the temple walls, stalls occupy every nook and cranny.

Hundreds of people are selling, buying, bargaining, hawking

their wares:
merchants, money-changers, innkeepers,

prostitutes.

Jesus, full of rage, followed by the disciples, sweeps down

on the wine stands and workshops, overturning the tables,

striking the tradesmen with his goad. (determined crane -

MS)

JESUS:

Get out! Away!

Jesus mounts the temple steps. Smoke seems to be coming from

his body. This is his moment.

Behind him, everyone loots stalls and routs merchants with

great enthusiasm, as if Jesus' solitary act of anger last

time in the temple had now become an example for mob action.

On the top of the temple steps, Jesus pauses momentarily.

JESUS (V.O.)

Lord, I hope this is what you want.

Please let it happen quickly, while

I have the strength.

Now he turns to face the mob.

JESUS:

I am here to set fire to the world!

In the desert The Baptist said,

'Repent, Repent! The day of the Lord

is coming!' but I'm saying it's too

late to repent. The Day of the Lord's

already here! I am the Day of the

Lord. I come with the baptism of

fire!

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