At the time of year leading up to Easter our minds are drawn to thoughts of Jesus' death on the cross on our behalf. If we are believers we may wonder if we have the faith where if we were in the situation of His disciples whether we would be found at the foot of the cross or deserting an apparently sinking ship!

At the time of Jesus' death on the cross the bible tells us of those people who were close to him and who had stayed by His side.

They were -
'The disciple Jesus loved',
Mary, Jesus' mother,
His mother's sister, Salome
Mary, the wife of Cleopas
and Mary Magdalene.

It's interesting to look at these people and see how their lives were impacted by Jesus.

The third person we can look at is Mary, the wife of Cleopas.

On the Sunday when Jesus was resurected 'the disciple that Jesus loved' was the first to realize that He was risen, when he saw the empty tomb. Mary Magdalene spoke to Him in the garden after His resurrection. Jesus' mother and Aunty were with the disciples when He appeared in the upper room, but Cleopas and his companion (most probably his wife Mary) were priveledged to an audience with the risen Jesus as they walked home to Emmaus. You can see the incident recorded in Luke 24, verses 13-35.

They are discussing what has taken place in Jerusalem and how Jesus has been killed by the authorities and they could not understand why this had happened to the one they thought would redeem Israel. And, even though some said he was alive they had not found Him!

Suddenly a man (Jesus, though they did not know it), comes alongside them and asks what they are talking about. When they explain, thinking that he must be new in town, the man then proceeds to show them from the scriptures how the 'Son of Man' had to suffer and die for mankind.

Luk 24:25-27 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

So while they did not recognize Him, Jesus explained the prophesies concerning the Messiah. Jesus taught them from the scriptures, giving them understanding that in the book is the record of Him.

Luk 24:28-32 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.

And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.

And they said one to another, "Did not our hearts burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?"

They were shown by Jesus from the scriptures how He was most definitely the Christ and this serves as a contact point for us with the events at that time, because we also believe through the record of the scriptures from Moses to Malachi.

We can note a few things in this passage. First 'they' constrained Him to stay with 'them'. This suggests two people who lived together. Also He went in to tarry with 'them', which once more suggests people living together. Next, He sat at meat with 'them' which suggests co-hosts. Finally if we wonder what might have caused their eyes to be opened, could it have been because they saw the nail marks in His wrists for the first time as He raised His hands to bless the meal?

Whatever it might have been the two of them ran back to Jerusalem to tell what had happened to them. It would have been very fitting if the women who were close to Him and even stayed by His side through His crucifiction like Mary (Clopas' wife), were amongst the first to be appraised of His resurection!

So they told the other disciples and those gathered with them about what had happened and how they had come to realize it was Jesus, alive! As they were doing this Jesus appeared amongst them; calmed their fears and explained to all of them how it was written beforehand that He would suffer and die and rise again!

Luke 24:36-40 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet.

But this is not all, although it would be marvelous on it's own! An extra for them and for all of us today is the promise of 'power' through Holy Spirit in us, to follow Jesus and fulfill the mission He has for us!

Luk 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but wait in the city of Jerusalem, until you are endued with power from on high.

The disciples learned at different times that Jesus was alive and they also saw Him so that they could become eye-witnesses to the fact.

And, we also from the scriptures know that Jesus, our Messiah, is alive and through the Holy Spirit He lives in us and through us, and we have all things, in Him!