The momentous stories of Holy Week and Easter are so familiar, that we may sometimes miss important details -- aspects with potential significance for our own life journeys. One way to take a ‘fresh look’ may be to watch the characters and personalities who appear, with Jesus, along the way. Some appear for a moment, then disappear. Others have major roles. Each has an essential role to play in the unfolding of events. You may like to choose one or two personalities, to read about and imagine the ‘story behind the stories’. What could happen if you walk beside them or in their shoes, or see with their eyes?
Mary the Mother of Jesus:
Mary is with her son until the end. Her presence is silent. Read her story in Mark 15, Matthew 27 and 28, John 19.
Peter:
Peter is with Jesus and fellow disciples at the last supper; in Gethsemane; and in the courtyard of the high priest, Caiaphas, where fear overtakes him and he denies he ever knew Jesus. Peter’s absence during Jesus’ passion and death ‘speaks’ loudly. Yet, sorrowful and hopeful, Peter returns. With the ‘disciple Jesus loved’ he races to the tomb on hearing reports that Jesus is alive. He is with the others when Jesus appears in the upper room. He jumps out of a boat towards the Risen Christ and walks with him on the shore. When Peter hears the words, ‘Do you love me?’ Peter knows there is hope and his betrayal has been forgiven. Finally, it is bumbling, fragile Peter who is given a new responsibility: ‘Feed my lambs’. Read Peter’s story in Mark 14, Matthew 26, Luke 22, John 13,18,21.
Peter, James and John:
Peter, James and John accompanied Jesus to Gethsemane, but were too sleepy to keep him company. Mark 14, Matthew 26.
Mary of Magdela:
Mary of Magdela has been a faithful disciple of Jesus and she is there with his mother, Mary, and other women, when Jesus dies and is brought down from the cross. On the day of Resurrection, Mary is first to meet the Risen Jesus and first to tell the news. She is the ‘Apostle to the Apostles’. Read Mary’s story in Mark 15 and 16, Matthew 27 and 28, Luke 23 and 24, John 19 and 20.
‘The Disciple Whom Jesus Loved' :
Only in John’s Gospel is this disciple mentioned by this title, at key moments in the Gospel narrative. Many believe he is the young apostle, John himself. Read John 13, (possibly ‘the other disciple’ in 18), 19, 20 and 21.
Simon of Cyrene:
Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, hailed from Cyrene in present day Lybia. He was probably a devout Jew visiting Jerusalem for the Passover when, suddenly, he is compelled by soldiers to carry the cross of a stranger, Jesus of Nazareth, marked as a criminal. Read Mark 15, Matthew 27, Luke 23.
The two men crucified with Jesus:
Both spoke to him as they, and he, were dying. Only one received forgiveness and a promise of paradise. Mark 15, Matthew 27, Luke 23.
The 'Twelve' and the wider group of disciples:
With the exception of a small group of women, they were largely absent when Jesus died. After the death, they sheltered in the upper room. Yet it was here, in their place of hiding and safety, that the Risen Christ came to meet them with the gift of peace. Mark 14 and 16, Matthew 26 and 28, Luke 22-24 and John 13-21.
Women who followed Jesus:
Women followed Jesus and provided for him throughout his mission. Women stood by as Jesus carried his cross, were present during his final agony and death, then ready with spices at the tomb. Mark 15 and 16, Matthew 27 and 28, Luke 23 and 24, John 20.
Jewish leaders, Nocodemus and Joseph of Arimathea:
Nocodemus and Joseph of Arimatheawere secret disciples of Jesus, who came to the cross before evening came with a huge quantity of spices, and an offer of any empty tomb for the body of Jesus. Read Mark 15, Matthew 27, Luke 23 and John 19.
Disciples travelling to Emmaus:
In grief and sorrow, they were walking away from Jerusalem towards Emmaus, when a stranger walked with them, explained the meaning of what had been happening, and broke bread with them when offered hospitality in Luke 24.
Mary, the Wife of Clopas:
Mary the Wife of Clopas stood by Mary, Jesus’ mother and Mary of Magdala at the foot of the cross. John 19:25. Could she have been the disciple walking with Clopas on the road to Emmaus?
Other characters to read about:
A woman of Bethany, who anointed Jesus: Mark 14, Matthew 26 (Luke 7, John 12).
Thomas: John 14:5 and 20.
The Centurian at the cross: Mark 15 and Luke 23.
Pilate: Mark 15, Matthew 27, Luke 23, John 18 and 19.
Pilate's wife: Matthew 27:19.
High Priest Caiaphas, Ananias, Chief priests, elders: Mark 14, Matthew 26, 27, 28, Luke 22, John 18.
The servant girl in Caiaphas’ courtyard: Mark 14, Matthew 26, Luke 22.
Barabbas: Mark 15, Matthew 27, Luke 23;
The Soldiers: The soldiers who arrested, tortured and crucified Jesus and guarded the tomb: Mark 15, Matthew 26, 27 and 28, Luke 22 and 23, John 18 and 19.
Judas: Mark 14, Matthew 26, Luke 22, John 13 and 18.
Lyn Breen, Adult Faith Education Sandhurst
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