|PIC1|"We celebrate with great joy the Resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday and to me, there has always seemed to be a dearth of biblical teaching on what Jesus taught his disciples over those 40 days immediately afterwards," M V Tronson noted.
Acts 1 verse 3 reveals that Jesus gave very specific teaching:
".. He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God."
The Gospels speak only a little of that period. Matthew reports the disciples were directed by Jesus to travel to the Galilee and to a specific mountain; this is where the Resurrected Jesus met them and gave them the Great Commission.
The Gospel of Mark gives a very similar account, but does not convey as much detail whereas Luke's story concentrates on an earlier encounter with the Resurrected Jesus when he spoke to the two walking on the road to Emmaus. These two men then continued on to Jerusalem.
John's Gospel recounts both the Jerusalem and Galilean situations, and includes Thomas' famous finger probe and the fishing excursion from the shore of the lake.
The Acts of the Apostles provides a little more pieces of the puzzle, including a description of Jesus' ascension, but it does not specify exactly when, during that 40 day period, this event occurred. The only clue is that the Apostles were back in Jerusalem, having returned from The Galilee.
Then in 1 Corinthians 15, we are given the information, that, on one day alone, 500 supporters saw the Resurrected Jesus.
These New Testament references reveal the following. Firstly, specific locations are given where the resurrected Jesus met with his followers. Secondly, the Emmaus story hones in on the Old Testament prophecies on the reason for His coming. Thirdly, there is an emphasis on leading others to become disciples of Jesus.
"However in Acts 1 we're told that Jesus spent 40 days speaking of the things 'pertaining to the kingdom of God', so not unreasonably, a lot more was taught," Mark Tronson pondered.
The question is, M V Tronson asks, where might this teaching be recorded? The Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15 reveals that he wasn't on the scene, indeed he became the chief persecutor of the followers of Jesus in that early period.
The New Testament houses books written by those disciples who were with Jesus in this 40 day post Resurrection period. They were Peter, James and John. This might provide a clue.
The Spirit of Christ has spoken into the hearts of Christians down through the centuries through these writers: James, Peter (Books 1 & 2), and John (Books 1, 2 & 3).
Each writer also includes pastoral instruction.
"I therefore have confidence that whatever Jesus taught in those 40 days, has been reflected in these writings," M V Tronson explained.