GOD’S WORD FOR APRIL 2 ~ ~ Acts 1:3 ~ ~ “He also presented Himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days.”

From the book, “Incomparable” by Nancy DeMoss Wohlgemuth, we’re looking at the days after Jesus’ resurrection.

Thirty-three years is a long time to be away from home.

Imagine how eagerly Jesus wanted to get back to the heaven He’d come from.  Back with the Father who loved Him.  His work on earth was done:  a perfect life, a prophetic death, a profoundly unprecedented resurrection from the grave.  What could possibly be left for Him to do?

He delayed His departure from earth not just long enough to say His goodbyes, but for an extended forty-day interlude.  Just shy of six weeks, which can seem like an eternity when you’re longing for something that’s already been years in the waiting.

Forty days.  We’ve heard that before in Biblical history.  Noah’s flood, Moses’ stay on Mount Sinai, and Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, to name just three.  The repetition of this time period tells us that it’s significant. 

But, again, why?  Why not go right back to heaven?  Obviously, Jesus stayed because the Father wanted Him to.  The Son always does what the Father says.

Bear in mind that the disciples were confused, experiencing emotional whiplash with first the death and burial of their Leader and dearest Friend and then reports of His resurrection.  The opening verses of the book of Acts reveal that Jesus used this period to reorient and care for His followers in at least two ways:

First, He provided “many convincing proofs” of His resurrection (Acts 1:3).

After He would leave, it was crucial that His followers had confidence that He really had overcome the grave.  After all, they were to convince others of this.  So He presented them with evidence they couldn’t refute…..mostly through multiple physical appearances—-they could touch Him, see Him close, even probe His scars.

Acts 3, says that  He showed Himself “after He had suffered”…..why would He say that?….to show that it was a reminder that suffering and death are not final.   The apostles would suffer too, (Matt.16:24).  But the worst that could happen would be death, and Jesus was standing before them as evidence that there is life after death.

It’s important to remember that the evidence Jesus provided was not just for those disciples, but also for future generations of skeptics and believers alike.  Even today, the eyewitness accounts of the resurrection remain compelling.

Second, He prepared and taught them for what lay ahead when He left. He did this by teaching them through the Holy Spirit, about the Kingdom of God.

We can’t see Jesus in the flesh, but we have the same Word available to us and the same Holy Spirit to illuminate our understanding and teach us what we need to know.

He also prepared them by confirming and clarifying their calling and mission. 

“As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” (John 20:21).

To “make disciples of all nations,”  (Matthew 28:19).

As “witnesses” of His life, death and resurrection (Luke 24;47-48).

Jesus has left us with the same mission and message.  He is coming back, as He promised, and He will hold us accountable for how well we’ve carried out our mandate in His absence.

Finally, during those forty days, He assured them of His provision for them.  The Roman government (like governments today) was big and powerful.  How were they to fulfill their mission?

Jesus promised them the “Helper”  The Holy spirit.   The coming of the Spirit – their empowering, encouraging guide — meant that Jesus would always be with them, as He is with us.  Christ has given us every resource we need to fulfill His mission in this world through His Holy Spirit and His presence in and among us.  What more could we ask?

Jesus waited 40 days……..and how grateful we should be that He did!

Published by liveinthelightofourlord

View all posts by liveinthelightofourlord