Forty Day Window

“He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.” Acts 1:3 ESV

            Professional athletes understand the value of making most of their window of opportunity. The goal is to make it to the Major Leagues, NBA court, the NFL, or other major professional sports. There has been hard work training through exercise, proper diet, and developing the skills of the game for many years. When the call up comes and their name is added to the roster, the window is relatively short to prove they belong. Time is of the essence to display talents, demeanor, and the impact one could have to the game and their team. Those who make the most of their opportunity are usually successful proving they are an asset to the team.

            Our Lord Jesus had a window of opportunity between His resurrection and His ascension to heaven. The window was forty days in which Jesus had to offer convincing proofs that He was indeed the Savior who has risen from the dead. Scripture does not record all of Jesus’s activities during these forty days, but it has revealed certain undeniable proofs. He walked along with Cleopas and his friend on the road to Emmaus. (Luke 24:13-32) Jesus shown Himself to His disciples and even ate with them. (Luke 24:36-43, John 21:1-14) And He was seen by over five people at once. (1 Cor. 15:6) His earthly mission was now complete having come into the world to sacrifice His life paying the ransom for our sin and rising from the dead. He worked to the end informing and encouraging those who will carry the message of the gospel and the Kingdom of God.

            Every Christian has their own window of opportunity to live and present the gospel of Jesus. It is also a window which is only known by our creator as to its length of time. So with every Christian time is of the essence, for we do not know the day the window will close. As athletes striving to get the most of their opportunity to make it or stay with the team, Christians also need to be striving and making the most of the opportunity set before them for none of us know the end of our own ‘forty day window’.