Passion Week – The Fortieth Day!

Passion Week was a week of celebration, followed by turmoil, uncertainty, and profound grief for those who followed Jesus.  Thankfully, a celebration like none before or after began the new week, as the resurrected Christ made Himself known to the world. 

During the forty days following His resurrection, Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene and the other women, Peter, the two travelers on the road to Emmaus, ten disciples, then to the eleven, to seven disciples while they were fishing, to more than 500 people, to his half-brother, James, and finally to the group that was gathered with Him at the Mount of Olives on the fortieth day.  That is quite a group that gave testimony to Christ’s resurrection!  He is risen indeed!

On that fortieth day, Jesus commanded His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the gift of the Holy Spirit, which He had promised to them.  They needed the power that the Holy Spirit would provide to “…be [His] witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8b NIV84).

Then another miracle occurred.  Jesus ascended into heaven right before them, and as they watched, two angels appeared, bringing a promise for them and for us.

“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” (Acts 1:11 NIV84 emphasis added).

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ gives us victory over sin and death, but the fact that Jesus is coming again is the ultimate climax to the greatest story ever told.  Sin created a great divide between God and man.  Jesus came to earth as a human being, lived a life free of sin, willingly gave His life on the cross to pay the debt that we could not pay, was resurrected, and then, God’s plan gets even better!  Jesus is coming again!

The story is far from finished.  The mission continues, but one of these days, Jesus is going to return the same way that He left.  The question is: will we be ready?

Read: Luke 24:50 – 52; Acts 1:1 – 11; & John 21:24, 25

Food for Thought:

• God’s plan to cross the great divide that sin created only requires us to accept His Son as our Lord and Savior.  If you haven’t taken that step yet, don’t hesitate.  Time keeps moving towards that great day of Jesus’ return.  Don’t get left behind.

• Do you believe Jesus is coming again?  If so, what are you doing to be ready?

For a fictional perspective on Jesus’ ascension into heaven, read Chapter 24 of The Shepherd’s Quest, by Elaine C. Duncan, available on Amazon.