This year’s celebration of Passover and Resurrection Weekend (Easter) has been special and very unique. The Hebrew calendar is lunar-based as opposed to the common, solar-based Gregorian calendar. Thus, Jewish holy days and festivals do not fall on the same Gregorian calendar days each year.

Ironically, the Feast of First Fruits (embedded at the end of Passover week) fell on the same day as Resurrection Day. Why is that significant? Because the Feast of First Fruits was fulfilled by Jesus who became the “first fruit” when He resurrected from the dead. It is very rare for the two to fall on the same day.

But, what happened following the resurrection of Jesus? Scripture tells us He was seen by over 500 people, providing proof He indeed rose from the dead. (1 Corinthians 15:6-8) He then ascended to heaven where he sits at the right hand of the Father. (Matthew 26:64, Mark 14:62, Luke 22:69, Colossians 3:1)

During one of His appearances before His ascension into heaven He made a very interesting appearance to two men on the road to Emmaus. Read the account in Luke 24:13-27.

1. Do you find it interesting that, in verses 14-16, that they failed to recognize Jesus, though they were deep in discussion about the Resurrection Day events? What if Jesus appeared to you…would you recognize Him?
2. Verses 17-24 seem comical. Jesus asked what kind of conversation they had that made them so sad. Rather Incredulously, they asked if Jesus was the only person who did not know about the things that happened that day (ie – the resurrection of Jesus), to which He replied, “What things?” They went on to explain how Jesus of Nazareth was crucified, yet women who went to the tomb found it empty. They lost the Messiah! Yet there He stood right in front of them. How often does the Lord reveal His character and grace to us, yet we don’t see what’s right before our very eyes?
3. Notice what Jesus did, according to verses 25-27. He expounded all of Scripture in order to reveal Himself. Jesus went to the cross to die for our sins, and He will go to the greatest length to reveal Himself to us. Are we watching and listening?

The impact of that meeting with Jesus is detailed in verses 28-34. What was the outcome, according to verses 33-34? How do you respond when Jesus reveals Himself to you personally? My prayer is that each of us respond like those men who were compelled to tell the story of Jesus.

Could it be that the days following the resurrection were meant to be days in which those who saw Him contemplated His coming and His purpose? Could it be that word spread like wildfire about that man, Jesus, who revealed Himself as the Savior of the world?

Fifty days of contemplation followed, and Pentecost, the day of Jesus’ ascension into heaven, arrived! It is the next Jewish feast, and the time ordained for God to send the Holy Spirit. I encourage you to spend the next 50 days yearning for the Holy Spirit to come alive in you. Jesus is risen and ascended to the right hand of the Father, but He left a Helper, the Holy Spirit to guide us. Let Him be your guide!