After His Resurrection, Jesus could’ve gone straight from “Grave to Glory” – but He didn’t. He stayed on the earth for a good while longer – 40 days to be precise – and He had some excellent reasons to do so. For 40 days, He Gave Proof of His Resurrection for all mankind and for all the ages to come that He had truly risen from the dead. Not as a phantom or a spiritual being, but really, actually, in flesh and blood. He proved His resurrection by making many appearances to His disciples – at least ten – to different people and in different places: individuals, small groups, large groups, including a whole congregation of 500 people! All these appearances certified His Resurrection beyond all question. Many legal minds call the Resurrection of Jesus Christ “the best accredited fact in all of history” because it did not take place “in a corner,” it did not occur on just one occasion and it did not happen in the presence of just a single witness. Many witnesses. Over many days. In many places. Altogether making it abundantly clear to all ages that He had really risen from the dead.

In addition, Jesus delayed His departure to Heaven in order to provide final instructions to His disciples, commissioning them to “Feed My sheep”, “Take care of My lambs” and “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to everyone.” But then, at the end of those 40 days, we read this:

50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany,
he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem
with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God. (Luke 24)

Welcome dear friends, to Home Church Langley!