Amazing number 40 in Bible
The Significance of number 40 in the Holy Bible is very significant indeed.
40 days after the resurrection of the Lord, that is Easter, we enter into the season of lent and 40 days after the feast of resurrection of the Lord the church celebrates the ascension of the Lord. Jesus ascends to heaven in the presence of his disciples.However, ascended Jesus continues to be present within us because of his promise to us that he will be with us till the end of the ages.
So what could be so significant of number 40 in the Holy Bible? Let's find out!
Number 40 has a special significance in the bible.
- In the Old Testament, the great flood at the time of Noah lasted for 40 days.
- Moses was called by God at the age of 40 and he prayed on Mount Sinai for 40 days.
- Great kings like Som, David and Samuel ruled their kingdoms for 40 years.
- Prophet Joana preached to the people of Nineveh for 40 days before the destruction of the city.
- In the New Testament we find Jesus tempted for 40 days and 40 nights.
- Jesus preached to the people for 40 months
- Jesus appeared to the people 40 days after the resurrection. The holy church commemorates this 40 days after the resurrection as the feast of Ascension of the Lord.
The number 40 also indicates a certain period, a certain time that is quiet necessary for a person who undergoes transformation or conversion.
A time frame which is necessary for each one of us too to experience changes in our lives.
Another famous example is of St. Augustine, who almost took 40 years to change his old ways of sinful life to embrace a life of grace.
Once he embraced Christ; he joyfully proclaimed his message.
St. Francis of Assisi
St. Francis of Assisi is another instance who changed his life to embrace Christ. St Francis said this is what I wish, this is what I seek and this is what I want. Many saints, martyrs and spiritual leaders experienced Christ in their lives.
It didn’t happen abruptly; but took time. And once they embraced Christ they followed the instructions of Christ to the core to proclaim his good news in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
They lost no hope. As Christians, we are called to proclaim Christ and to evangelize. Every believer needs to participate in evangelization.
We need to practice in Christ’s teaching in our homes, in our offices and in our society and more importantly within us.
It is also interesting to notice that Jesus Christ appeared to his disciples to show that he is raised, that he is truly raised and he is alive and is very much present in the midst of them.
The same disciples experienced the resurrection again after 40 days. There was great transformation and change in the life of Apostles.
It didn’t happen abruptly; but took time. And once they embraced Christ they followed the instructions of Christ to the core to proclaim his good news in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
They lost no hope. As Christians, we are called to proclaim Christ and to evangelize. Every believer needs to participate in evangelization.
We need to practice in Christ’s teaching in our homes, in our offices and in our society and more importantly within us.
It is also interesting to notice that Jesus Christ appeared to his disciples to show that he is raised, that he is truly raised and he is alive and is very much present in the midst of them.
The same disciples experienced the resurrection again after 40 days. There was great transformation and change in the life of Apostles.
Struggles of Apostles
These Apostles were frightened of persecutions, insults, rejections and being abandoned by the world.
The Apostles who were timid and remained hidden and intimated by the crowd became very courageous men after the experience of the Holy Spirit from the risen Lord.
We are constantly afraid of something or the other. We suffer depression, despair, sadness, darkness in our life.
The ascension of the risen Lord breathes Holy Spirit in our lives.
The Holy Spirit enters into us and touches our lives and thus brings about even reformation in our lives so that we become better persons in our families and in our respective communities.
The Apostles who were timid and remained hidden and intimated by the crowd became very courageous men after the experience of the Holy Spirit from the risen Lord.
We are constantly afraid of something or the other. We suffer depression, despair, sadness, darkness in our life.
The ascension of the risen Lord breathes Holy Spirit in our lives.
The Holy Spirit enters into us and touches our lives and thus brings about even reformation in our lives so that we become better persons in our families and in our respective communities.
Lord’s Ascendance to Heaven
Jesus ascends into heaven in the presence of disciples. Jesus’s ascension into heaven does not mean that he abandoned his disciples.
This does not mean Jesus is not present through the apostles. Jesus ascends into heaven and assures the disciples of his continuous presence through the gift of Holy Spirit.
This Holy Spirit empowered the Apostles which gave them courage to carry out the mission of Jesus Christ. The same assurance of the gift of the Holy Spirit is given to us.
We receive the Holy Spirit in the participation of the sacraments, in the participation of the Holy Eucharist and we also receive this Holy Spirit through the world of God which strengthens us and nourishes us.
This does not mean Jesus is not present through the apostles. Jesus ascends into heaven and assures the disciples of his continuous presence through the gift of Holy Spirit.
This Holy Spirit empowered the Apostles which gave them courage to carry out the mission of Jesus Christ. The same assurance of the gift of the Holy Spirit is given to us.
We receive the Holy Spirit in the participation of the sacraments, in the participation of the Holy Eucharist and we also receive this Holy Spirit through the world of God which strengthens us and nourishes us.
Spiritual energy from the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit sustains us to face our daily trials and tribulations. In moments of despair and confusion we need to ask the help of Holy Spirit everyday of our lives.
Let us not give up; especially in the time of darkness, sufferings, weakness, anxiety and hopelessness The Holy Spirit will surely empower us with Lord’s light and peace.
Let us not give up; especially in the time of darkness, sufferings, weakness, anxiety and hopelessness The Holy Spirit will surely empower us with Lord’s light and peace.
End of Age
Jesus conveys to us that he will remain with us till the end of this age. He says heaven and earth shall pass away but my words will not pass.
We need to recognize his presence today and this moment. Also by recognizing Jesus in others we begin to accept the other person, we begin to understand the other person and we begin to love the other person and also to forgive them in the hope of seeing Jesus again.
Jesus says, “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you”.
The risen Lord will be above each one of us and bless us, he will be before us and guide us, he will be behind us and protect us, and he will be beside us to comfort us.
He will be inside us to sustain each one of us. Amen!
We need to recognize his presence today and this moment. Also by recognizing Jesus in others we begin to accept the other person, we begin to understand the other person and we begin to love the other person and also to forgive them in the hope of seeing Jesus again.
Jesus says, “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you”.
The risen Lord will be above each one of us and bless us, he will be before us and guide us, he will be behind us and protect us, and he will be beside us to comfort us.
He will be inside us to sustain each one of us. Amen!
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