40 Days

After Jesus was raised from the dead he spent 40 days teaching his disciples. Why did he do this? Today we join Pastor Hartwig as he talks about the importance of Jesus' work after his resurection.

Acts 1:3

When Jesus rose from the dead he didn’t just disappear into heaven. He spent 40 days here on earth spending it with his disciples, teaching them about the kingdom. This is what Luke records in the book of Acts for us

After he had suffered, he presented himself alive to the apostles with many convincing proofs. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and told them things about the kingdom of God. (Acts 1:3)

Jesus didn’t just disappear into heaven. He wanted to give his disciples time to come to terms with his resurrection. He wanted to thoroughly convince them that he really was alive.

Why did Jesus do that? It wasn’t just for the disciples. It was for you and me. Jesus needed those apostles to go out into the world as eyewitnesses to his resurrection. They recorded the things that he said and did so that we, the generations to come, could see that he really has risen.

And because He is risen, everything that he said is true. “I am the resurrection and the life he who believes in Me will live even though he dies.” Jesus has given us life now because our sin is taken away and heaven is ours.

So this Easter, don’t you celebrate the death of Jesus, or even the resurrection of Jesus, celebrate that your sins are forgiven. Amen.

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Timothy Hartwig
Timothy Hartwig

Tim Hartwig is currently serving as President of the Evangelical Lutheran Theological Seminary.

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