Jesus after the Resurrection

It is interesting to look at the timing of events from the resurrection of Jesus to the time when He ascends. He is removed from the cross before the Sabbath (Saturday), which is the Sabbath of the Passover feast (the major Jewish feast that occurs once a year). So He, His body, is put into the tomb on Friday, He is dead for 3 days as prophesied, or really a part of 3 days, and He is raised from the dead on Sunday.

A key fact on this subject that may not be well known by all Bible students is that Jesus spent 40 days on the earth after His resurrection. This is recorded in Acts 1:3, "....He presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God." It is in this first chapter of Acts that Jesus reminds them that they are to remain in Jerusalem after He ascends into heaven until the Holy Spirit comes upon them. Then in Acts chapter 2 we see the Holy Spirit coming upon the Apostles just as Jesus had said.

As we pursue the discussion on timing, we see that the Holy Spirit comes upon the Apostles, as recorded there in Acts 2, upon the day of Pentecost. Pentecost (meaning "50") is the next great Jewish feast occurring 50 days after the Passover Sabbath. So the Passover Sabbath occurs on Saturday, add 50 days to that and you get Pentecost occurring on Sunday. Then, backing up, since Jesus walked on the earth for 40 days starting on Sunday, the day after the Passover Sabbath, there are about 9 days left after Jesus ascends for the Apostles to wait in Jerusalem.

This might all seem a bit involved, but I think it helps to get further understanding of the timing of the final events of Jesus' life. He spent the 40 days showing himself to numerous witnesses so that faith would be strengthened.

Thanks for reading. I hope you have a great week!

The Lord's Supper

Jesus taught His apostles to keep taking the Lord's Supper in remembrance of Him. This is taught in Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22 and 1Corinthians 11. We see the early Christians taking the supper on a weekly basis as we study the book of Acts. This was, and is, important to Christians for several reasons: one is that Jesus taught it; and we see the early Christians following that instruction; and also we want to remember and honor our Lord by doing this.

But not only is it important to remember how our Lord died for us, it is also useful to know that God always planned it that way. From the very beginning of man, from man's first sin, it was planned by God to send His Son to save us from our sins. We see the first reference in Gen. 3:15 where it indicates that the Son would be bruised by Satan. This is a reference to the suffering that Jesus would have to go through. In Genesis 22 we see that God tells Abraham to take his only son Isaac up on the mountain and sacrifice him. We see that God spares Isaac in that story. But later, when it is time for God to sacrifice His only Son, the Son does not get spared. All through the Bible we see the plan being developed for Jesus to be sacrificed.

The prophets taught the people to stop their sinning and come back to the Lord. In dozens, maybe hundreds, of places they told of the Messiah to come. For example, Isaiah 53 tells us that the Messiah must go like a lamb to the slaughter.

So the Savior is born, to a poor family, starts His ministry at the age of 30, and begins His journey toward the suffering and impending death to come. Just before He starts this death process, He meets with His apostles and teaches them that He must die, be raised and leave them. But he teaches them that they are to remember Him by taking of the supper. This fits the plan that Jesus not only carries out, but was always planned by the Father. Thus, it is supremely important. Let's make sure that it is to each of us.

Thanks for reading. Have a great week!

Lessons from Philippians 4

Chapter 4 is a powerful wrap up of the book of Philippians. Note a few of the points given in this one chapter of the Bible:

"Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!" It is interesting to see that Paul is rejoicing and encouraging others to do so when the persecution is heavy, and Paul is even in jail.

Then he says "Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand." As Christians, we are to be gentle people. We see more of this thought later in the chapter.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made to God." We get two main thoughts here: not to be anxious; something Jesus taught much about. And pray; make our requests to God. He wants to hear that and certainly has the power to do meet our needs.

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things." This gives us the challenge to think good things; keeps us away from the devil.

"I have learned.......to be content..." And this is a good lesson for us all....especially in this materialistic society.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Jesus loves you and me. And He will strengthen us if we only let Him! Have a good week.