The Passover: the first day of the feast of unleavened bread (Matthew 26:17-30). That is the feast that Jesus observed while He was also instituting the Lord's Supper for His church to observe as a memorial of His sacrifice for them (I Corinthians 11:23-26). The next Sabbath was a special Sabbath, because of the seven-day feast. It was on the first day of the week (modern calendars call it Sunday) that strange and wonderful things began to happen. The tomb was discovered empty, first thing in the morning! Rumors of people seeing Jesus alive began to spread. Some thought it was grief turned to hysteria. But a "stranger" began to say that everything going on, the last few days, was just according to plan - the plan that was laid out in the Scriptures of the prophets a long time ago.

Luke also wrote the book of Acts. In Acts 1:3 he writes that Jesus "presented Himself alive after his passion (suffering) by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God." So, we see that there was a need to encourage, strengthen, and educate the disciples. They were going to have to carry a message to their generation that would also have to be delivered to future generations. They had to be absolutely sure that Jesus' resurrection was real and that the Scriptures clearly foretold these events. The salvation of all men depended on this. To propagate this gospel, the disciples would have to suffer many things - even death. They must not waver!

Luke 24:28-35 goes on to explain that the "stranger" (Jesus) sat down to break bread with the two men. Then, suddenly He made Himself known to them. He was not a stranger. He was their risen Lord! As the two went and reported this event to the other disciples, Jesus appeared to all of them. This is not mass hysteria! What Luke describes in Acts 1:3 went on for forty days! As Paul describes the testimony of Christ's death and resurrection, among the numerous appearances of Christ, there was one time that Jesus appeared to over five hundred people at one time! See I Corinthians 15:1-8. Paul even encouraged the idea that most of them were still alive and could be contacted to verify the story!

Luke 24:36-49 gives us a good sampling of what Jesus did for forty days.

• He demonstrated that He truly had risen from the dead. (Luke 24:36-43)
• He declared and documented the testimony of Scripture. (Luke 24:44-47)
• He delegated them to do His gospel work. (Luke 24:47-48)
• He delivered the promise of the Father to them. (Luke 24:49)
• He directed them to wait in Jerusalem for the power to start their mission. (Luke 24:49)

Christ demonstrated that He truly had risen from the dead. (Luke 24:36-43)
This testimony is essential to the integrity of the Gospel. I Corinthians chapter 15 is a long treatment of this important matter. Paul says, "And if Christ is not risen, your faith is vain / futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ we are of all men most miserable / pitiable." (I Corinthians 15:17-19. See also Romans 6:9-18; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; I Peter 1:3-5)

Christ declared and documented the testimony of Scripture. (Luke 24:44-47)
Followers of Jesus must continue in His Word (John 5:24; 6:63; 8:30-32; 15:1-8). Christ's Word includes all that the Father has said of Him in the Old Testament Scriptures (John 5:37-47; 7:16-18; Romans 1:1-3; Colossians 3:16; II Timothy 3:15-17; I Peter 1:10-12, 23-25; II Peter 1:19-21; I John 5:9-12). Christ's Word is extended to the teachings of the Apostles, whom He personally trained and commissioned to declare His truth (John 17:14-20; I John 4:1-6; II Peter 3:15-16). Followers of Christ must then be skillful in the Word; for their own welfare and also for the welfare of others who will hear them and observe their lives (Romans 16:25-27; I Timothy 4:13-16; Hebrews 5:12 - 6:3).

Christ delegated them to do His gospel work. (Luke 24:47-48)
This is called The Great Commission. It was their mission. It is now passed down to us. It is our job, to be done through the Lord's churches. See Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; John 20:21; Acts 1:6-8 cp. II Corinthians 4:6; Philippians 1:3-5; 2:14-16.

Christ delivered the promise of the Father to them. (Luke 24:49)
Most teachers focus on what happened ten days later at Pentecost (Acts 1:4-5; 2:1-47). Please consider John 20:22 where Jesus breathed on them and said, "…Receive the Holy Spirit…" It is doubtful that Jesus would have left them unguided and unprotected for ten days (John 14:18). In some quiet way, Christ's Spirit came in them. It should be noted that the experience of Acts 2:1-21 is associated with "power" (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8). They were filled with the Holy Spirit. Being filled with the Spirit is something that happens many times in the life of a believer (Acts 2:4; 4:8, 31; 9:17; 13:9, 52; Ephesians 5:18; 6:18; Jude 1:20). The indwelling of the Spirit is a one-time event in the believer's life and is associated with a quiet entrance through faith (Ephesians 1:12-14; John 14:23). The promise in Acts 2:38-39 was quietly fulfilled in Acts 2:41-47.

Christ directed them to wait in Jerusalem for power to start their mission. (Luke 24:49)
We don't dare do God's work in our own strength. God's work, done God's way, will not lack God's presence and provision. See Matthew 28:20; Mark 16:19-20; Luke 21:12-15; John 15:5; Romans 15:17-19; I Corinthians 2:1-5; 4:20; II Corinthians 10:3-5; Ephesians 6:10-19 cp. Psalm 27:1-14; Isaiah 40:31.