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 which 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.

First, 'The Disciple whom Jesus Loved'.

Going back a few days from the crucifixion we remember the scene in the room when Jesus and the disciples held 'the last supper' together. During the meal when Jesus mentioned that they would all desert Him when He was taken, Peter boasted that, “he would never do that. The other's might, but not him!” He was full of belief in "his courage" and 'his love for Jesus".

At the meal there was another disciple, but his boast, as with Mary and Martha regarding Lazarus [Joh 11:3], was in "Jesus' love for him"!

Later when Jesus was crucified, Peter was nowhere to be seen but 'the one that Jesus loved' was standing at His feet. And it was to this disciple, "the one that Jesus loved", that Jesus entrusted His mother's care after His death.

Some people believe that it was the one shown in the bible to be 'him who Jesus loved' whom Jesus gave care of His mother. This disciple would be based in the area of Jerusalem and would have two sisters who would be good company to Mary in the rest of her life. Having been taught at Jesus' feet they also would share in the kingdom knowledge of Jesus, the Messiah.

The scriptures foretold that the shepherd would be stricken and the sheep would be scattered. This scenerio allows for all the sheep that travelled with Jesus being scattered when He was on the cross and the scripture not being broken!

In either case I believe there is a major lesson for us. We should boast, not in our own abilities and our love for Jesus, but rather, in “Jesus and His love!”

Like Lazarus did and as his sisters witnessed of him and as Paul did later, we should boast in Jesus Christ; and Him crucified.

That is, "in His love for us", especially as demonstrated on the cross!

Best wishes for Grace and The Peace of Jesus.

Attlee.