As someone who loves the water, the baptismal brought familiar comforts. The gentle pressure of the water hugged me and wrapped the robe around my body and legs. I submerged into the silence and emerged to the words, “raised to walk in newness of life.” 

Regardless of how a baptism looks, with either immersion or sprinkling, or in white robes or t-shirts, there is a before and after. The symbol mirrors Jesus’ death and resurrection so that we too can walk in newness of life. 

With so much focus placed on Jesus’ resurrection from death and ascension to heaven, we often overlook the time between the two in which Jesus walked with the disciples.  The book of Acts says, “He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.” (Acts 1:3 ESV)

For 40 days, Jesus walked with his followers and friends. 

We may wonder how these days were spent. How did Jesus present himself and what proof did he give? How he described the kingdom of God. We don’t know much about the time between the resurrection and ascension, but we do know he walked.

One story says that on the day Jesus was raised from the dead, two men walked from Jerusalem to Emmaus. The men, shocked and heartbroken from the recent events, tried to make sense of it all. They left the holy city fearing that Jesus’ death was meaningless murder. 

While they were talking, Jesus drew near to them and walked with them.

Since the men didn’t recognize Jesus, they were shocked this stranger had not heard the news of the day. They gave Jesus a complete summary, which was certainly told passionately as they relived the injustice of the events.  They said Jesus of Nazareth, the prophet mighty in deed and word, was condemned and crucified. They had hoped Jesus would redeem Israel, but now he had been dead for three days. They remembered one woman who said she saw a vision of angels, but they didn’t completely believe the swollen eyes of someone in grief. 

Jesus responded, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory? And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” -Luke 24:25-27 ESV

Jesus provided his own summary of events, complete with scriptures to clarify the importance, the purpose and plan, of his death and resurrection. 

When they dined that evening and Jesus broke bread, they recognized it was Jesus- but the instant their eyes were opened, he vanished from their sight. 

After walking with the men, Jesus appears to his disciples. He gives them peace and proof of his resurrection. After a bit of breakfast, Jesus walks them through the words spoken of Him in the law of Moses, the prophets and psalms. He “opened their minds to understand the scriptures” (Luke 24:45 ESV). Jesus must have relished explaining all the connections and tie-ins, and the disciples must have been in awe of ah-ha moments and revelations. 

Jesus walked with the disciplines and believers in new life. The joy they felt when they discovered Jesus was raised by the dead was amplified when they could share the joy with him. 

However, Jesus could only walk with his followers for so long. He told them he was sending the promise of the Holy Spirit- and for the Holy Spirit to arrive, Jesus would have to depart.  

Even though the disciples may have wished their friend had remained on earth longer to fish and fellowship, Jesus had a good reason for leaving earth. There was only so much that Jesus, as a human man, could do. The Holy Spirit, ever-present, would prove to be a much better helper. 

 “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.” (John 16:17 ESV) 

Jesus assured them the ascension should not be a time to mourn his departure, but a time to anticipate the arrival of the Holy Spirit. 

It may not be a coincidence that Jesus chose to walk on earth until the Festival of Weeks, a festival to celebrate when Moses received the law (now known as Shavuot). When Jesus ascended, the Festival of Weeks was forever changed from celebrating receiving the law, to receiving the Holy Spirit. The law would no longer be a guide for believers; the Holy Spirit would be the guide. 

I like to think Jesus spent the 40 days on earth after the resurrection basking in the fact that it was finished. At the start of His ministry, Jesus spent 40 days alone in the wilderness tempted by the devil to sin. At the end of His ministry, he spends 40 days with His beloved followers to celebrate the victory over sin. There is no mention of Jesus spending the 40 days proving himself to the Pharisees or performing miracles to prove his power. Instead, he appears to people, walking in step with them so they could be witnesses (Luke 24:48 ESV). Now all of his followers are called to be witnesses. (Acts 1:8 ESV)

We are given the gift of grace and freedom to have the distinction as a witness:  a witness tells what they saw. They share what they experienced, from their point of view. They don’t spin a story, argue or add in details that would distract from the truth. They simply tell the truth. 

During these 40 days after Jesus’ resurrection, we should also celebrate Jesus’ victory and be full of joy. We can celebrate the way Jesus walked with his followers by walking together and showing the love of Jesus to each other. We can study scripture together, harnessing the power of the Holy Spirit already available to interpret God’s word to learn more about the promises he has in store for us. 

For example, it has been a joy to walk through the book of Romans with the Tirzah community. Romans Study Introduction In this letter, Paul explains the gospel, describing the significance of each step towards salvation. It feels very much like walking in step with Jesus.

As we walk, we witness what we have experienced in the new life knowing we have the power of the Holy Spirit to guide our words and lead us to love.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Grace is a writer based in coastal Georgia. She invites readers to explore and wonder about the goodness of God and make their own faith discoveries. Her husband and cats cheer her on, swimming is her escape and cheese is her fuel.