The Bible stands alone, it is a different book to all other writings, because it is the result of the work of the Holy Spirit, who inspired about forty men of God, including His Son Jesus Christ, and some of His apostles to communicate God to the world, and what he plans for men and the earth on which they live. The Holy Spirit did this during approximately fifteen hundred years, giving words to men chosen by God, that to this very day, through the preaching of the word, He wakes dead sinners to a new life, and burns faith into their bones, setting them on fire! It is written that Cleopas and his companion, ‘As they approached the village (Emmaus) to which they were going. Jesus acted as if He was going further. But they urged Him strongly: Stay with us, for it is nearly evening, the day is almost over. So, He went in to stay with them. Jesus did this to these two men, (who having offered Him supper), recognised Him in the breaking of the bread.’ What a revelation to those disappointed disciples, thinking that all was over. I am not surprised that they harried back to Jerusalem, to share their joyful news with the rest of the disciples.

It is a fact that since the early hours of that Sunday, the disciples, men, and women, were beginning to learn that they were part of a new dynamic realm. They were on the verge of discovering that the life that they lived until then, was finished, and that they were entering a new dimension, a completely new existence, and just as Jesus appeared to the women and having said few words disappeared, Jesus now confirmed, to these two disciples, that He was alive, with fire in their legs they quickly returned to Jerusalem, and brough the exciting story they lived through! As this amazing day was coming to its end, they would all be convinced for it is written that soon after: ‘On the evening of the first day of the week, when the disciples were together with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said: ‘Peace be with you.’ After he had said this, He showed them His hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. (John 20: 19-20)

Their eyes were opened to a new life with Jesus alive from the dead, for the Holy Spirit was going to accustomed them all, to a new perspective, understanding, of all that Jesus came to do! After all these centuries it is what men today, even many Christians do not realise, that man’s temporary existence is transient, as a dream. The disciples of the Lord, from amongst the rest of humanity, were part of a new entity, a new people, whose life has its source in God Himself! Luke says in the book of Acts: ‘He showed Himself to them by many infallible proofs that He was alive.’ So, it appears that not all His appearances are recorded in the Holy Book! In the light of all that I have mentioned, I realise also, that even today, after all we read, and all we have experienced, we are still taken up too much with life down here, and that we need to be far more detached from it. We must realise fully that we are born from above, born of God, and that from that moment, suddenly, as it is written, we have become strangers and sojourners in the world we live in, some for just few years, others for many more. We now belong to that heavenly country, though unseen, which is far more real than the things we see. It is a fact, that suddenly, we, Christians, may leave this world, if not by dying, then by the sudden appearance of Christ, whom, our Heavenly Father will send, to take us home. For He said: ‘And if I go, I will come back, and take you that you may be where I am.’ (John 14: 3)

Having mentioned, what the disciples felt at seeing Jesus risen from the dead, I ask myself how I would react if I were there, with them? Maybe you do also? Well, I know what I would do? Especially that they all forsook Him and fled, living Him to die alone; they never thought that they would do it, but fear got the better of them? They most probably thought that, if they could do this to their Master, they did not stand a chance! Now, seeing Jesus alive, they could have wondered what he would really tell them? They must have been really embarrassed, or afraid for failing Him? They really were ignorant of what was going to happen next? Was Jesus going to continue where He left off? They may have imagined that Jesus was back to bring in His Kingdom, which they still had in their vision, as they did all the time they followed Him. But when the forty days were over the whole situation was very different! Through it all, the love of Jesus Christ triumphed, and He filled their heart with peace.