What Did Jesus Do After the Resurrection?

Have you ever wondered why Jesus didn’t immediately ascend to heaven after His resurrection?

It’s a part of the resurrection story we often skip past. We celebrate the empty tomb, we sing the songs of victory, but then we fast-forward straight to the ascension. We rarely pause to ask: What did Jesus do after the resurrection?

And yet, the forty days between the resurrection and ascension were far from silent. Jesus was active, intentional, and pastoral. What was He doing? And what does it mean for us?

The answer isn’t just historical—it’s personal. Those forty days were not filler. They were intentional. And they reveal something about the heart of our Savior and how He shepherds His people, even today.

Let’s look at five reasons Jesus remained on earth for forty days after His resurrection.

1. He Proved He Was Truly Alive

The resurrection wasn’t a spiritual metaphor. It was a physical, historical reality.

In a world of skeptics, and even doubting disciples, Jesus made it unmistakably clear: He had really risen. He wasn’t a vision, a ghost, or a legend. He stood in front of them, spoke with them, showed them His scars, and even ate with them (Luke 24:39–43).

He appeared first to the women at the tomb, then to Peter. Then, to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Then, to the ten disciples behind locked doors. Then, to Thomas. And finally, to over 500 people at once (1 Cor. 15:6).

Why so many appearances?

Because Jesus knew how fickle our faith can be. He knew how strong our doubts can feel. So He confirmed again and again that the tomb was empty. The resurrection wasn’t just an event. It was a Person—alive, present, and walking among them.

2. He Affirmed the Truth of God’s Word

One of the most powerful post-resurrection accounts is the scene on the road to Emmaus.

Two disciples are walking, confused and heartbroken over what had just happened in Jerusalem. Jesus joins them—though they don’t recognize Him. He listens patiently. Then, He gently rebukes them: “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!” (Luke 24:25).

What does He do next? He opens the Scriptures!

“Beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures” (Luke 24:27).

Later, after they finally recognize Him, they say, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road?” (Luke 24:32).

The risen Christ didn’t just show up. He taught. He interpreted Scripture. He connected the dots from Genesis to Malachi and showed them that the cross and resurrection weren’t a divine detour—they were the destination.

He was proving that God keeps His Word. And He still does.

3. He Strengthened the Faith of His Followers

Jesus’ disciples were shaken. Fear, confusion, and doubt filled the air. So the resurrected Christ met them where they were—literally and spiritually.

He appeared in locked rooms. He walked on roads. He joined them at meals. He showed up in their confusion, not with condemnation but with comfort.

Take Thomas, for example. He wasn’t there the first time Jesus appeared. And when the other disciples told him, he famously said, “Unless I see... I will not believe” (John 20:25).

What did Jesus do? He came back. He showed Thomas His hands and His side. And Thomas responded with worship: “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28).

Notice that Jesus didn’t crush doubt with guilt. He confronted it with grace.

And even more, He told Thomas, “Blessed are those who did not see, and yet believed” (John 20:29). That’s a direct encouragement to us today.

4. He Mobilized His Disciples for Mission

The resurrected Christ didn’t just strengthen His followers—He commissioned them. The Great Commission was a crescendo of multiple appearances where Jesus repeatedly reminded His disciples: You are My witnesses.

In Luke 24, Jesus tells them that “repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations” (v. 47). But before they could “go,” they had to “wait”—specifically for the Holy Spirit to empower them (Luke 24:49).

Then in Matthew 28, Jesus gave the full mission:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you...” (Matt. 28:19–20).

Before ascending, He made sure they knew their task: Make disciples. Preach the gospel. Baptize believers. Teach obedience. And know—He would be with them to the end.

The risen Christ didn’t just rise—He mobilized.

5. He Prepared Us for His Return

Finally, Jesus stayed for forty days to give His disciples a preview of what is to come.

In Acts 1, as they’re still looking upward at His ascension, two angels appear and say, “This Jesus...will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11).

This wasn’t a goodbye. It was an “Until I return.”

The forty days between resurrection and ascension remind us that Jesus isn’t finished. The story isn’t over. The mission is still active. And the King who rose will one day return.

Final Thoughts

It’s important for us to understand that the forty days following the resurrection weren’t a pause in the plan—they were a pivotal part of it.

Jesus stayed to prove He was alive, to confirm the Scriptures, to deepen the faith of His followers, to mobilize the disciples for mission, and to prepare us for His return.

And He’s still doing the same today.

He meets us in our doubts. He opens His Word. He calls us into His mission. He reminds us that our hope is alive—and that He, our King, is returning.

So as you reflect on Easter, don’t stop at the empty tomb. Remember the risen Christ who spent forty days with His disciples—and who still abides with us through His Spirit today, even to the end of the age.