One on One: 40

Saturday, March 28, 2026

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.

^5bThen the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? ⁶He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, ⁷that 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”.

²⁵Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. ²⁶Wasn’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.

⁴⁶He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, ⁴⁷and 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.

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Saturday, February 21, 2026

The Milestones of Life

A Lenten Series on the number 40!
Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness
(Click on the link below to read the verses.)
Matthew 4:1–11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13

[Historically, Lent is a 40‑day period of preparation leading up to Easter. It involves reflection, repentance and readiness for the resurrection. Ultimately, it leads us to 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 revolve around the number 40, and how that applies to us.]

Turning 40 was a milestone for me! But it was also when I started noticing the inevitable decline of my body, such as needing bifocals. Needless to say, it was a difficult adjustment!

However, it was incomparable to the difficulties that Jesus faced while living in the wilderness for 40 days and 40 nights where he was tempted by the devil. Scripture tells us that he lived in the elements among the wild animals and fasted the whole time.

In reading about Jesus’ experience, two questions come to mind. First, why did the Holy Spirit lead him into the wilderness to be tempted and tested? It seems like it would have been better if Jesus had just started on his mission right away.

There could have been many reasons why it was important, if not necessary. Like the Israelites who wandered in the wilderness for 40 years, God may have wanted to make sure that his son Jesus would be obedient even under the worst conditions.

Considering that scripture tells us that the Lord disciplines those he loves, God may also have wanted to prepare Jesus for what he would endure. Not only for the cross, but for the temptations that he would experience before then.

Or maybe God wanted Jesus to be confident in his faith. Even Jesus needed affirmation. Just like when he was baptized God affirmed him by saying, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

One reason for sure, is that he did it for us. In Hebrews we read that he is able to “empathize with our weaknesses” and “has been tempted in every way, just as we are”. Because of this, he “is able to help those who are being tempted”.

¹⁶Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. NIV Hebrews 4

My second question is, when responding to the devil’s temptations, why do you think Jesus quoted verses only from Deuteronomy? I’m pretty sure he knew more Scripture than that.

It makes me think that Jesus might have been meditating on it while he was in the wilderness. After all, the historical setting of Deuteronomy is that Moses was preparing the Israelites to cross the Jordan River and enter the Promised Land.

In a way, this parallels Jesus’ situation. Maybe God was preparing Jesus to begin his ministry to bring the Kingdom of God. Not a geo-political kingdom like the Promised Land of Canaan, but a spiritual Promised Land.

¹⁵“The time has come,” Jesus said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” NIV Mark 1

We all reach milestones in our life. Jesus reached a milestone when he spent 40 days and nights being tempted in the wilderness. More importantly though, he reached a milestone of being obedient to his heavenly Father – even unto death.

And by reaching that milestone, he made it possible for us to reach our own. That is, embracing the Kingdom of God.