After Jesus’ resurrection, He remained on earth for 40 days before ascending into heaven. This period is significant and holds great importance in the Christian faith. During these 40 days, Jesus did many things that are recorded in the Bible.
Spending Time with His Disciples
During these 40 days, Jesus appeared to His disciples several times. He ate with them and talked to them about the kingdom of God. One of the most famous stories from this time is when Jesus appeared to Thomas, who had doubted that Jesus had risen from the dead.
John 20:27-29 says, “Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side.
Stop doubting and believe.’ Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'”
Teaching His Disciples
During these 40 days, Jesus also taught His disciples many things about God’s kingdom and what was going to happen next. In Acts 1:3, it says that “After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.”
Preparing His Disciples for Their Mission
Jesus knew that He would soon be leaving this earth and returning to heaven. Before He left, He wanted to make sure that His disciples were ready for their mission ahead – spreading the Good News of salvation through Him throughout the world.
In Acts 1:8, Jesus tells His disciples, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Jesus was preparing His disciples for the coming of the Holy Spirit, who would empower them to carry out their mission.
Ascension into Heaven
After spending 40 days with His disciples, Jesus ascended into heaven. In Acts 1:9-11, it says that “After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. ‘Men of Galilee,’ they said, ‘why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.'”
In conclusion, during these 40 days after His resurrection, Jesus spent time with His disciples, taught them about God’s kingdom and what was to come next, prepared them for their mission ahead and ultimately ascended into heaven. This period holds great significance in the Christian faith as it highlights Jesus’ love for His disciples and His commitment to preparing them for their mission ahead.