Blog

Final 40

By: Steve Negley

Posted: March 1, 2018

Category: Daily Devotional

In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. “This,” he said, “is what you have heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.
Acts 1:1-9

The disciples were blessed by the physical presence of their Lord Jesus for a wonderful 40 day period after Easter. Having thought he was gone forever, they treasured this time. And then, promising to send them power from the Holy Spirit, Jesus left in a cloud.

During Lent, we can spend 40 days on this side of the empty tomb reading the gospels and experiencing the presence of the risen Christ in our lives. Let’s treasure this time.

Prayer

God, help me to use the 40 days of Lent as a time to truly enjoy Christ’s presence in my life. Amen.