The answer is: 40 days

Acts 1:3

After Jesus rose from the dead, He didn’t just zip straight up to heaven like some theological rocket. Instead, He chose to stick around for 40 whole days! That’s quite a lengthy pit stop. Why did He do this? Well, these 40 days were an important teaching period where Jesus appeared to His followers multiple times, providing them with guidance, encouragement, and vital instructions, as recorded in the Book of Acts.

Interestingly, the number 40 pops up multiple times throughout scripture! It rained for 40 days and 40 nights during Noah’s time (Genesis 7:12), and the Israelites spent 40 years wandering in the desert. In a way, this 40-day interval after the resurrection mirrors these significant periods of preparation and testing.

And speaking of appearances, Jesus didn’t just limit Himself to the Eleven disciples. He appeared to many, including skeptical figures like Thomas, whose story we totally can relate to—it’s perfectly normal to have doubts sometimes!

The resurrection also holds various echoes within traditions, hinting at rebirth and renewal found in human experiences. The 40 days served to solidify the hope and mission of His followers. Picture it: their hearts were racing, trying to grasp the miraculous over those weeks. Each moment equipping them, with instructions that eventually ignited the birth of a movement that transcended their expectations and time! Now that’s a divine blueprint for transformation.