There aren't that many stories from these 40 days. The one we read for this past Sunday occurred no more than a week and a half after Easter morning. Stretch it out as far as you can, and you still have 30 days during which Jesus is resurrected but not ascended. And few instances of what he was doing during that time.
I want to suggest that what he was doing that time was reinforcing the importance of being "in the world." Being "in the world" is very important.
First, let's not forget that the whole Jesus event is a demonstration that God would set aside the heavens in order to make His home with us. We are Christian not because of philosophical school of thought or some sign in the heavens. Rather because we see in Jesus the incarnation of God.
In today's reading from John 17, verse 19 says, "As you did send me into the world, so I now send them." Jesus' disciples are to be in the world, in the same way that Jesus was in the world.
I realize that I reinforce your being "in the church" more than your being "in the world." I am more likely to form a relationship with you if you are at worship or the Wednesday meals. That is unfortunate. From the witness of scripture, we should be strengthened in our common bond when we are out in the world - when we are doing God's will among those whom God came to speak the Good News.
If I fail to acknowledge, please remind me. If we all fail to encourage, then expose our limitations. Our time together should buffer us from the harshness of the world, but it should not take us out of the world. It should move us to the places and opportunities where God's Word can speak healing and wholeness and restoration to a world in which there is too much hurt and hardship and isolation.
Jesus spent 40 days reminding us that his Resurrection was not a quick pass into heaven; it was an opportunity to come to the earth and affirm the care and love God has for all those whom God has made.
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