Three Nights: The Perfect Plan of Redemption

Day 7 – The 40 Days: Jesus Prepares His Disciples for the Mission

Acts 1:3 NKJV To whom He also 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.

Happy Resurrection season, BAC Fellowship family!

We have walked through the six days of Passion Week together, from the Last Supper on Tuesday evening, through the crucifixion and burial on Wednesday, the two Sabbaths, and the glorious resurrection on Sunday. But the story does not end at the empty tomb.

After rising from the dead, Jesus spent 40 days with His disciples before ascending to heaven.

This is a beautiful and important part of God’s plan. During these 40 days He gave them “many infallible proofs” that He was truly alive and taught them about the kingdom of God.

A Quick Recap of Resurrection Sunday (Nisan 18)

What happened in the 40 days leading to His ascension? I’m ending this epilogue to our Wednesday Crucifixion timeline to show how the risen Jesus prepared His disciples for the mission ahead. The Gospels and Acts give us events but not a day-by-day log, so we’ll summarise key moments across the 40 days (Nisan 18 to Sivan 27, roughly April 5 to May 14, 2025, in our timeline),

My updated Sunday Section
“Saturday’s Sabbath ends at sundown, and before dawn Sunday, Jesus rises, leaving the tomb empty (Matt 28:6). An angel shakes the earth, rolls back the stone, guards flee (Matt 28:2-4). Very early, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome arrive with spices, find it open, and hear one angel, or two, proclaim, ‘He is risen!’ (Matt 28:5-6, Luke 24:4). Jesus meets Mary Magdalene, ‘Tell My brethren’ (John 20:14-18), then the women, ‘Go to Galilee’ (Matt 28:9-10). Afternoon, He walks with two to Emmaus, breaking bread (Luke 24:13-31). Evening, He enters the disciples’ locked room, says ‘Peace be to you’ and shows scars, eating fish (John 20:19, Luke 24:36-43). Saints from Wednesday’s graves rise, walking Jerusalem (Matt 27:53). Death defeated, new life begun, and for forty days, He teaches, appears to hundreds, and ascends, sealing His promise (Acts 1:3, Matt 28:19-20) …”

So, scripture says:

• Acts 1:3 “To whom He also 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.”
• Luke 24:44-51 Post-resurrection teaching and ascension.
• John 20:19-21:25 Appearances to disciples, Thomas, and at Galilee.
• 1 Corinthians 15:5-7 “He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve… then by over five hundred brethren at once… then by James, then by all the apostles.”

The 40 Days That Followed (Nisan 18 to Sivan 27)

Acts 1:3 NKJV tells us Jesus “presented Himself alive… by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.”

Here are the main events Scripture highlights during those 40 days:

1. Day 1: Sunday, Nisan 18 (April 5)
   • Actions: Rises pre-dawn (Matthew 28:6), appears to Mary Magdalene (John 20:14-18), the women (Matthew 28:9-10), the Emmaus pair (Luke 24:13-31), disciples in Jerusalem (John 20:19-23). “Peace be to you”,. scars shown, mission given: “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you” (John 20:21).
   • “Day one, He walked among them.”
2. Day 8: Sunday, Nisan 25 (April 12)
   • Thomas Convinced: “After eight days” (John 20:26), Jesus reappears to the disciples in a locked room, Thomas present. “Reach your hand here… do not be unbelieving” (John 20:27), doubt turns to worship.
   • “A week later, faith touched His wounds.”
3. Sometime in Galilee (Days Unknown, ~April-May)
   • Breakfast by the Sea: At the Sea of Tiberias (John 21:1-14), Jesus appears to seven disciples fishing, cooks fish, restores Peter: “Feed My sheep” (John 21:15-17).
   • Over 500 Witnesses: Seen “by over five hundred brethren at once” (1 Corinthians 15:6), likely in Galilee (Matthew 28:10, “go to Galilee”).
   • “By the shore, He fed their souls.”
4. Teaching the Kingdom (Throughout 40 Days)
5. Acts 1:3: “Speaking of… the kingdom of God”, Jesus teaches Scripture (Luke 24:44-45, “opened their understanding”), preparing them for Pentecost.
   • “Forty days, truth sank deep.”
6. Day 40: ~Sivan 27 (May 14)
   • Ascension: From the Mount of Olives (Acts 1:9-12, Luke 24:50-51), Jesus blesses them, ascends: “A cloud received Him” (Acts 1:9). “Make disciples of all nations” (Matt 28:19-20), the final command. Angels promise His return (Acts 1:11).
   • “Up He went, His promise stays.”

What This Means for Us

Those 40 days were not wasted time. Jesus used them to turn fearful, confused disciples into bold witnesses. He gave them proof, teaching, restoration, and clear instructions before He returned to the Father.

The same risen Jesus is still at work today. He still comforts the doubting, restores the fallen, teaches His Word, and sends His people out with the gospel.

The three nights in the tomb led to the resurrection. The 40 days of appearances led to the Great Commission. And the promise of His return still stands.

He is risen. He is ascended. And He is coming again.