5.8.25 ~ 40 days past His resurrection (Pt. 14)

Good morning!

It's day 26, the 4th week and 5th day of counting the omer. We're officially heading out of the proverbial forest. Every step we take with the risen Lord will be one step closer to a deeper revelation at Shavuot and ultimately at Pentecost.

Can you imagine the weight of those moments when Yeshua walked with them, ate with them, opened the scriptures again and again, just as he did on the road to Emmaus, pointing back to the law, the prophets, and the psalms, showing them how everything pointed to this kingdom? He wasn't focused on the politics of His day, because His wasn’t a political kingdom, not the kind they had hoped for in their earlier days when they argued about who would sit on His right hand (Matt. 20:21-23). No, this kingdom would not come with tanks or manipulation of governments, it would come through truth, through sacrifice through hearts made new. This is what the disciples had to grasp before they could change the world; before Pentecost came with fire and power.

They needed to understand they were not building their own empire, they were stewards of His kingdom.  And it’s important to note, Yeshua did not just teach them facts, He spoke into their formation. They weren’t passive lectures, these were transformative moments towards key disciples like Peter, who had denied Him three times, Thomas, who we've dubbed the poster child for the doubter's club. They weren’t just forgiven, they were being formed into the carriers of the gospel. Every meal with Yeshua, every conversation, every scripture He opened to them, wasn’t just review, it was revelation. It was training for how they would live, lead and love.

And if you’re listening today, with ears to hear, and wondering, what does this have to do with me? I would emphatically say, "Everything". Why? Because we are a generation it still confuses salvation with arrival. When in reality, our individual salvation experience is the beginning of kingdom transformation. Are you ready for the real question? Enquiring minds want to know :-)

"If Yeshua had 40 days with you after His resurrection, what would He talk about"? Would he speak to your priorities? Your distractions? Your fears? You’re understanding of the gospel? Your understanding of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms? Would you need to correct how you see His purpose? His power? Success or significance? Because let’s be honest we often want results, we want miraculous signs, but He wants roots. We chase spiritual fireworks, but He wants us to build an unshakable foundation (Matt. 7:24,25). And before He ever told The disciples to wait for power from on high, He took the time to teach them what that power was for; not for control, not for comfort, but to advance the kingdom of God in every nation, every heart every home by making disciples (Matt. 28:18-20).

This season of 40 days, also reminds us of something crucial in our fast paced culture: Yeshua was never in a hurry. He had already conquered sin. He already defeated death (1 Cor. 15:55,56). He already secured salvation for those who obey Him (Heb. 5:9), and yet He slowed down to teach, to prepare, to invest, because transformed people build eternal things (2 Cor. 4:18). So, what does this mean for us? It means we need to slow down too. We need to spend time with Him, the Living Word; Not just rushed to serve him, but to listen. Listen to His words. Spend time in His Word. When we do, the coming kingdom's message will shape our relationships, our choices, our values, allowing His priorities to become our priorities. It means we don’t just ask God what do you want me to do today? He's already told us what to do...as you are going, make disciples. What we should ask is, "How does this choice advance your kingdom"? Whether we’re talking about how we handle money, how we treat others, how we spend our time, everything must come under the authority of the King. It also means we must prepare before we go.

The disciples didn’t launch into ministry with charisma. They launched with clarity. They weren’t just passionate, they were kingdom minded. They had spent time with the risen Messiah and that changed everything. So here’s a challenge for each of us on this 26th day of counting the omer: "Have you let Yeshua teach you about the kingdom, or have you been too busy asking him to build yours"? Have you made space for 40 day moments in your hectic day, of intentional teaching, of quiet reformation, or have you been running so fast for God that you haven’t stopped to sit with Him?

Let’s not skip this step before the fire of Pentecost comes. There must be whispers of the kingdom in your ears and heart before boldness can be displayed. There must be grounding before we carry the message.  We must live it. Because, the kingdom isn’t something we build for Him, it’s something He builds through us. And that only happens when we listen, when we learn, and allow Him to teach us just like He did with them.

Happy 26th day of counting the omer!

Shalom,
Alan

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