After Jesus’ resurrection, on Nisan 16, he was on earth for 40 days teaching and encouraging his disciples. They needed his post resurrection appearances to establish their faith that Jesus was alive and that his death had been essential to God’s plan. The Day of Pentecost followed 50 days after his resurrection. 0n the day of Pentecost the holy spirit was sent to the early church. It was manifested with tongues of fire resting on each of the disciples (see Acts 2).

When Jesus made his final post resurrection appearance he gave the disciples specific instruction “not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for what the Father had promised” (see Acts 1:4, 5). This time of waiting was the 10 days between his ascension and the day of Pentecost.

The question comes up regarding why the disciples had to wait for those intervening 10 days? Was it simply to fulfill the 0ld Testament picture of the Feast of Pentecost (Weeks)?

A Grand Reunion

As we consider various possibilities we recognize that the Scriptures are silent, so our thoughts here are conjectures. But conjectures can be edifying if kept within that category. Here is one possibility of what may have transpired during these 10 days.

Jesus had left the courts of heaven 33½ years earlier. Previously, he had been the archangel of God. In that position, he must have had a sense of brotherhood and family ties with his fellow angels. Imagine the joy that every angel felt in seeing Jesus raised back to life. Jesus, a returning hero, had demonstrated such faith and devotion to the will of God. Through the most grueling ordeal imaginable, he displayed great courage and strength. What anticipation must have filled the heavenly family as he prepared to return to his heavenly home.

We often see wonderful images of soldiers coming home from war. Their families greet them with boundless joy and excitement. Would the heavenly hosts be any less glad to see their Lord and friend come back to them? Maybe those 10 days were reserved for Jesus to spend personal time with all his heavenly family. For a brief time no other obligations would come before this personal time of fellowship.

He was, of course, most cherished by the Father. Many warm and intimate moments were spent between father and son. As we study the Scriptures, we see that God uses and appreciates certain formalities and ceremonies. Thus, it is also possible that sometime during those 10 days there was some type of formal ceremony to welcome him to his rightful place, seated at the right hand of God.

In Jesus’ parable of the Nobleman, we are told that “A certain man well-born went into a country distant, to receive for himself royal dignity, and to return” (Luke 19:12, Wilson Diaglott). Here Jesus told his disciples that he had to go to heaven and that someday he would come back to them. Notice that once he ascended to heaven he would receive “Royal Dignity.” Yes, royal dignity, given to one so worthy, so faithful, so good.

Thus it would not surprise us that these 10 glorious days were used to celebrate the greatest created life ever lived, giving the angels an opportunity to fall down before him as he received the great honor of sitting with God on His throne.

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