Why did Jesus stay around for forty days after his resurrection?
Question:
Good day,
Brother Jeffrey, I am asking for your help regarding this question: Why did Jesus stay around for 40 days, after He came back from the grave, instead of going immediately into Heaven?
I know you are busy answering hundreds of emails every day so I am sorry for adding another burden on your shoulder. I have no one to lean on who has a good understanding of biblical questions. Your answers are greatly appreciated. It can help us all in our Bible study.
Keep safe, all of you there, in the La Vista Church of Christ.
Sincerely yours.
Answer:
If Jesus went immediately from the grave to heaven, how would you be certain that he truly rose from the grave? No one could go to heaven to check that he is there. The Jewish leaders claimed that the disciples stole the body to make it look like he rose from death, but how could this rumor be proven false?
"To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God" (Acts 1:3).
"For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also" (I Corinthians 15:3-8).
During this time Jesus also taught the disciples things that they couldn't comprehend prior to his death. Now that they knew he lived, they were able to grasp the deeper meaning of things Jesus had taught them.
See also:
Question:
Thank you so much for the quick reply, brother Jeffrey, in spite of your busy schedule. It was a great help and gives clarity to our Bible study. It is so sad to see some members of the churches of Christ adopting the Catholic tradition they observed by celebrating 40 days for their loved ones who have already gone. They believe that their spirits remain here on earth.
Keep safe all brothers and sisters at the La Vista Church of Christ. God bless you all.
Answer:
As you realize, just because Jesus remained for forty days to prove his resurrection, it does not mean this applies to everyone. Jesus is the firstfruit of the dead (I Corinthians 15:20). The rest of us will be "harvested" at the second coming. "Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment" (John 5:28-29).
