“to whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:”
Acts 1:3 KJV
Luke’s record of Jesus’s disciples, “After the sufferings of His Cross, Jesus appeared alive many times to these same apostles over a forty-day period, proving to them with many convincing signs that He had been resurrected. During these encounters, He taught them the truths of God’s Kingdom.” Jesus appeared to His followers at least eleven times an taught them the mysteries of the Kingdom of God. For Jesus had told the disciples, “it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven”. The number forty is significant for it speaks of transformation and completeness through testing. Jesus was tempted for forty days; the deluge during Noah’s day lasted forty days and nights; Moses met with God for forty days on Sinai; Israel wandered for forty years; and Elijah fasted for forty days. Jesus spent forty days appearing to His disciples to teach them that a day of completeness and transformation had arrived. It took them forty days to comprehend that Christ’s Kingdom was spiritual, not political. The world is still waiting to see “many convincing signs” from our lives signifying that we too have been raised from the dead. Spiritual fruit and spiritual power provide these signs. Let’s proclaim the Kingdom of God with power not just with words only. Amen!
No comments:
Post a Comment