We are focused so much on the eleven remaining disciples that we forget the other disciples who followed Jesus. It is interesting that Jesus appears to the peripheral disciples before showing himself to the eleven. We have already read how he appeared to the group of women. Next he appears to two of his friends who were walking to Emmaus. We know they were not counted among the eleven because Luke writes "So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together." (Luke 14:33).
It was not until evening that Jesus appears to ten of the disciples closest to him. (Remember Thomas is not there.). When Mary comes back to Peter a second time to say she had spoken with Jesus, they did not believe her (Mark 16:9-14). Now two more friends come banging on the door to tell them Jesus is alive.
We only know one of the names of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, Cleopas. We know several of the women's names, but not all of them (Luke 24:10). These people are not known for writing books. Their names do not show up in any of the apostles' letters. We would consider them the ordinary men and women in any congregation. In other words, they were like us. Yet Jesus came to them first.
God does not base his love for us on our potential. He simply loves us.
