Throughout the Bible we find forty day events recorded, from the genesis flood to Jesus fasting and being tempted in the desert. Jesus is put to death, is resurrected, and on the fortieth day ascends to his father in heaven.
REMBRANDT
The man Jesus made such a monumental shift in the thinking of the people of Judea, that the Jewish religious leaders resorted to having him executed. Jesus family members and others, who were influenced by his teachings, and chose to follow him were in shock and disarray, at the brutal death of their spiritual leader.
At the passover celebration, and the instituting of a new covenant, Jesus told them,
“In a little while YOU will behold me no longer, and, again, in a little while You will see me.”
(John 16:16)
They witnessed the miracles performed by Jesus, even bringing the dead back to life. His chosen apostles expressed belief that he was indeed the son of God. He told them he would rise from death, yet they found themselves feeling overwhelming doubt, as to whether they will ever see their great teacher and master again.
Three days after his death, they would become believers, and the words of Jesus would become clear.
18Therefore, in answer, the Jews said to him: “What sign have you to show us, since you are doing these things?” 19In answer Jesus said to them: “Break down this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20Therefore the Jews said: “This temple was built in forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?” 21But he was talking about the temple of his body. 22When, though, he was raised up from the dead, his disciples called to mind that he used to say this; and they believed the Scripture and the saying that Jesus said.(John 2: 18-22)
The three days, which by the Jewish calendar, a day, starts from sunset to sunset the next day.
Nissan 14 33 C.E. Passover and last meal with apostles, Jesus impaled, and entombed. (FRIDAY)
Nissan 15 33 C.E. Sabbath day. (SATURDAY)
Nissan 16 33 C.E. Jesus resurrected in the morning hours of the first day after sabbath. (SUNDAY)
RESSURECTION DAY
Only by a careful study of the recorded appearances of the resurrected Jesus can we piece together the most plausible time line. Some feel the accounts contradict each other, this is not the case, rather it is the result of different writers with their own information of the events as they occurred. Beginning early in the morning, Mary Magdalene, along with two other women, went to the tomb to lay spices on the body of Jesus. Upon arriving they find the tomb empty. An angel is at the entrance and tells them not to fear, but to go tell the disciples he has risen and they will see him in Galilee. They evidently split up at this point to go and report to the other disciples the news. Mary Magdalene runs to where Peter and other disciples are and tells them the news, they then run to the tomb to see that it is indeed empty, and went back home. Mary remains at the tomb, evidently alone. Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene who does not recognize him and thinks he is a gardener. He calls her name and she realizes it is Jesus, and then goes to the other disciples and tells her story. This may be the first appearance of Jesus.
(Mark 16:9-11) (John 20: 11-18)
He then appears to the other two women. Mary, the mother of James and Solome, while leaving the tomb to go report to the other disciples, evidently further away than where Mary Magdalene reached Peter and some of the disciples, they are greeted by Jesus who says ”Good day”. Recognizing him they fall at his feet and Jesus tells them to go report to his brothers. This may be second appearance of Jesus.
(Matthew 28: 9-10)
Later that afternoon two men walking to the town of Emmaus, are joined by Jesus and they are talking together as they walk. They do not recognize Jesus, and arriving outside the village ask him to join them where they were staying for refreshment. Jesus took a loaf, blessed it and upon handing some to them, they recognized him and then he disappeared. They immediately left back for Jerusalem. That evening they found the apostles and others in a locked room, in fear of the Jews. They reported there encounter with Jesus, adding that he also appeared to Peter. The scriptures don’t give detail how these men know of Peter’s encounter but probably the third appearance is to Peter and the fourth with these two men. (Luke 24:13-34)
While telling the group of their encountering Jesus on the road, suddenly Jesus appears in the room, saying “May you have peace”. This fifth appearance, startles every one and they first think he is a ghost. Jesus shows them the wounds in his hands and feet and tells them to feel them. Out of joy and wonderment they cant believe what they are experiencing, Jesus asks for something to eat, upon handing him some broiled fish, before their eyes he eats. He then reminds them of things he talked about while with them, and teaches them more. Thomas was not with them when this occurred, and later when telling him they had seen Jesus, he could not believe it, and said unless he himself saw the wounds in his hands, and put his fingers in the nail prints and the wound in his side, he would not believe. (Luke 24:33-43) (John 20:19-25)
EIGHT DAYS LATER
The disciples again are gathered in a room and the door is locked. This time Thomas is with them. Jesus a sixth time, appears in their midst and says “May you have peace”. He tells Thomas to put his fingers in the wounds of his hands and side and to not be an unbeliever, but to believe. Thomas then says “My Lord and my God”, Jesus responds “Because you have seen me have you believed? Happy are those who do not see and yet believe”. (John 20: 26-29)
A FEW DAYS LATER
Seven of the disciples are fishing on the sea of Tiberius. After fishing all night Jesus makes a seventh manifestation on the shore. He asks them if they have caught anything, there answer is no. They do not recognize who he is. Jesus tells them to “Cast your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some”. Upon doing this they catch so many fish they cant haul them in. Then they recognize it is Jesus, and Peter jumps in the water and swims ashore while the others bring the boat and the fish. When they arrive on the shore they find a charcoal fire burning with some fish and bread, and have breakfast with Jesus. They are so astonished none of them have courage to inquire of Jesus, but they know who he is. He shares words of wisdom and instructs Peter.
(John 21: 1-25)
THROUGHOUT FORTY DAYS
In the first chapter of the bible book of Acts we learn,
“To these also by many positive proofs he showed himself alive after he had suffered, being seen by them throughout forty days and telling the things about the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3)
During the first appearances to the three women, the angels and Jesus instructed them to tell the other disciples to go to Galilee and they would see Jesus. On a mountain in Galilee Jesus appears, and they receive his instructions to go and make disciples, baptizing in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy spirit, teaching them his commandments. An eighth appearance. (Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:15-18)
In Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians he relates how Jesus was seen by Cephas, also by the twelve and also by over five hundred at one time. He also appeared to Jesus brother James and then to all the Apostles. This may make the ninth and tenth appearances.
(1 Corinthians 15:6-7)
ASCENDS TO HEAVEN ON DAY FORTY
While having another meal with his apostles he opened their minds to understand the scriptures regarding him. He told them to remain in Jerusalem and they would receive holy spirit. He then led them to Bethany on the Mount of Olives, where he blessed them, raised his hands and was taken up to heaven. This could be appearances eleven and twelve. (Acts 1: 3-12; Luke 24:44-53; Mark 16:19-20)
These are appearances that have been recorded in the scriptures. There may have been many other encounters and great happenings by Jesus that were not recorded. In John’s Gospel he said
“To be sure, Jesus performed many other signs also before the disciples, which are not written down in this scroll. 31But these have been written down that YOU may believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God, and that, because of believing, YOU may have life by means of his name.” (John 20:30-31)
While on the road to Damascus Jesus appeared to Paul but only he could see him, while the others with him heard a voice. Later while in Corinth, Jesus appeared in a vision encouraging Paul and then while back in Jerusalem before the Sanhedrin, the night before being sent to Rome Jesus stood by him. (1 Corinthians 15:8; Acts 9:1-6; 18:9-10; 23:11)
Jesus was resurrected on Nissan 16, on the fortieth day before he ascended, he instructed his followers to remain in Jerusalem and keep waiting for what the father had promised as they had heard from Jesus. Ten days later or fifty days after the 16th, 120 followers gathered in an upper room witnessed another miracle. Perhaps the most significant miracle for any who believe in the Christ and follow Him, Pentecost of 33 C.E.
QUEST FOR THE NARROW GATE 