He is Risen... He is Risen Indeed

A Lenten Series on the number 40
Jesus’ 40 days after the resurrection
(Click on the link below to read the verses.)
Luke 24; Acts 1:3 

[Historically, Lent is a 40‑day period of preparation leading up to Easter. It involves reflection and repentance with the ultimate goal of transformation. The number 40 is significant in the Bible as it is associated with multiple stories of preparation and testing. In this Lenten series, we will be looking at various Biblical stories that include the number 40, and how it applies to us.]

  

Growing up, I went to church from the age of baby through high school. So, believing that Jesus was raised from the dead was an accepted part of it. But there’s a difference between accepting a belief and experiencing it for yourself.

 

It wasn’t until college that I “experienced” the risen Christ. At that time, Jesus became much more real to me. You could probably say that he “opened my eyes”. In some ways, I wasn’t any different than those who followed the rabbi Jesus as he walked the dusty roads of Galilee and Jerusalem.

 

When Jesus was crucified, his disciples were devastated. Even though he had told them multiple times what was going to happen, it wasn’t what they had expected. But the risen Christ was about to appear to them and then stay for forty days.

 

On the very first day following his crucifixion, the women went to the tomb with spices to anoint Jesus’ body. The only problem was that the stone had been rolled away and the tomb was empty. Two men in “dazzling robes” stood beside them.

 

^5b Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? ⁶ He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, ⁷ that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.”   NLT

 

Later that same day, two of Jesus’ followers were going to the village of Emmaus. As they were walking, they were joined by Jesus himself, although they didn’t recognize him. They told him about everything that had happened, and how disappointed they were because they thought Jesus had come to “rescue Israel”.

 

²⁵ Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. ²⁶ Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?                 NLT

 

When they arrived in Emmaus, they sat down to eat. It was only then that “their eyes were opened and they recognized him”. But then he disappeared. They immediately returned to Jerusalem to tell the eleven disciples and the others what had happened. As they were telling them, Jesus reappeared.

 

⁴⁶ He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, ⁴⁷ and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.  NIV

 

In one day, his disciples had three different encounters with the risen Christ or his angels, but all with the same message. Just like Jesus’ followers had an encounter with the risen Christ, we also need to have one.

 

He is risen… He is risen indeed.

 

Copyright 2026 Joseph B Williams

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