“After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.”
Acts 1:3
Timing is everything, especially when telling jokes or baking cookies. I’m a poor joke teller, usually forgetting the punch line. But I must say my timing with cookies is perfect—golden brown and chewy!
Every aspect of our salvation was timed by God. Paul tells us that “when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman” (Galatians 4:4). So it shouldn’t surprise us that Jesus’ ascension also was perfectly timed.
For 40 days He appeared to many. But day 40, a Thursday, was the set time He would ascend. His disciples were hoping for something else, asking, “Is now the time for you to restore the kingdom to Israel?” Nope. That timing was still a secret.
Why was it important for Jesus to ascend on that day? Consider other 40-day periods in Scripture: Noah endured rain, the spies explored the Promised Land, Jonah warned Nineveh. But it is Moses who points to Jesus’ ascension. He was invited into God’s very presence up on Mt. Sinai and stayed there for 40 days.
God had been planning this all along. Perfect timing.
Every aspect of our salvation was timed by God. Paul tells us that “when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman” (Galatians 4:4). So it shouldn’t surprise us that Jesus’ ascension also was perfectly timed.
For 40 days He appeared to many. But day 40, a Thursday, was the set time He would ascend. His disciples were hoping for something else, asking, “Is now the time for you to restore the kingdom to Israel?” Nope. That timing was still a secret.
Why was it important for Jesus to ascend on that day? Consider other 40-day periods in Scripture: Noah endured rain, the spies explored the Promised Land, Jonah warned Nineveh. But it is Moses who points to Jesus’ ascension. He was invited into God’s very presence up on Mt. Sinai and stayed there for 40 days.
God had been planning this all along. Perfect timing.
Scripture Focus
Matthew 24:36-44
Insight
Because God’s timing in the life of Jesus is perfect, I can trust Him with the timing of both joys and sorrows in my life.
Bible In A Year
- Joshua 11-12
- Psalm 102
- Acts 27
