5.6.25 ~ 40 days past His resurrection (Pt. 12)

Good morning!

Welcome to the 24th day, the fourth week and the 3rd day of counting the omer (Lev. 23:15,16). 

Near the conclusion of Yeshua's 40 days, after His personal appearances to those who had followed Him during His earthly ministry, after they received the evidence of His resurrection and personalized it, He commissioned them to take the message of the Kingdom/basilea into all the world making disciples. Fortunately, this One who sent them did not just commission them or send them alone (Matt. 28:20). No, no, no! The same voice that calmed the storms and cast out demons now pledged His presence to every believer who stepped out in Faith, which includes us even today. 

In a world that often celebrates comfort, this uncomfortable, inconvenient command still stands. The great commission is not outdated, it is not optional. It is the heartbeat of bringing heaven to earth. It's the strategy of the church and the assignment of every child of God. 

We live in an age of distraction, digital noise and spiritual apathy, but nothing can replace the power of one life surrendered to this mission. And the same Yeshua who stood on that mountain, then, still speaks to us now. Go. Not because you’re perfect, not because you’ve got it all figured out, but because He is with you. And when God is with you obedience becomes power and small steps become eternal impact! 

On this 24th day of counting the omer, His resurrection commission begs us to ask ourselves, are we living like the great commission is a suggestion or like our life depends on it? Are you a disciple? Is there evidence or is it just a title to be worn? Who are you discipling right now? Who are you pouring into? Praying for? Walking with? Maybe it’s time to see your neighborhood, your classroom, your job, your coffee shop, as your mission field. Maybe it’s time to stop waiting for the perfect opportunity and start obeying the perfect Savior. When Yeshua said go, he meant it. He didn’t just give you an assignment He gave you Himself. That's not pressure, that's a promise!! And that promise changes everything. 

Yeshua had just commanded them to go to baptize, to teach them to observe all He commanded (law and the prophets), and to do it all in the full weight of heaven‘s authority. But before they could carry out that mission, there was something else, something deeper than momentum, something more powerful than even clarity, it was preparation! And that preparation came not through public sermons or more miracles, but through 40 quiet days. 40 days  that most of us overlook, but heaven never did. 

Acts 1:3 tells us after his suffering he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over 40 days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 40 days. Not 5. Not 10. Not a quick farewell tour; 40 days. It’s not just a random number. Biblically it’s loaded with meaning. 40 is truly a number of preparations through testing!

It rained on the earth, during the flood, for 40 days and nights. Moses was on Mount side for 40 days receiving the law/Torah. Elijah fasted 40 days on his way to meet God in the wilderness. Yeshua Himself fasted 40 days before launching His public ministry. And now after the resurrection, He spends 40 more days, not in glory, not spectacular public displays, but in intimate, intentional, heart-shaping conversations with his disciples. And what did he focus on? The kingdom of God. Not strategy, not church growth, not how to build an audience, not even how to protect themselves from persecution. Nope! His focus was on the kingdom. Why? Because the kingdom of God isn’t just a concept. It’s the central message of Yeshua from beginning to end. It’s the reign of God, breaking into a broken world. It’s what He proclaimed in parables, demonstrated in miracles and secured through His cross and resurrection. And now, in His final moments before ascending, He reminds His followers. This is still the mission. 

Happy 24th day of counting the omer!

Shalom,
Alan

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