What is the Significance of 40 Days in the Bible?

Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness

4 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spiritinto the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’” 5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 If you worship me, it will all be yours.” 8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’” 9 The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. 10 For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you carefully;
11 they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” 

12 Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”13 When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.

As many of you know, we began the period of Lent last Wednesday at the service we call "Ash Wednesday".  We were marked with the sign of the cross with ashes and oil reminding us we are "dust and to dust we shall return".  It just so happens when you don't count Sundays, that the time from Ash Wednesday to Easter is 40 days.  Among the Jewish people the number 40 symbolized a long time. The number meant to them a time of punishment, judgment, probation, or trial.  Here are some of the events in the bible associated with 40 days: 

1. During the Flood of Noah's time it rained 40 days and 40 nights.
2. After killing an Egyptian, Moses spent 40 years in Midian tending his Father in Law Jethro's flock.
3. Moses was on Mt. Sinai 40 days and 40 nights.
4. Moses interceded for the Israelites for 40 days and 40 nights several times as they were disobeying God in the wilderness.
5. The Law signified the maximum for number of lashes was 40 times for committing crime.
6. The Israelites took spies to 40 days to scope out the land of Canaan
7. Before Samson delievered the Israelites they served the Philistines for 40 years.
8. Goliath taunted the Israelites and King Saul for 40 days before David slayed him. 
9. When Elijah fled from evil queen Jezebel, he spent 40 days and 40 nights on Mount Horeb.
10. Jesus ascended to the Father 40 days after His resurrection. 
11. Before Jesus begins his public ministry he fasted and prayed in the wilderness for 40 days as we read in the passage above. 

I am not saying we should get into "numerology", but obviously this number has importance in the bible. What does this pattern of using the number 40 teach us?  I think one thing is that God's work often takes a long time.  People often remark that Lent seems like such a long time.  We can't wait to hear the cry, "Christ is Risen, He is Risen indeed!"  But before we can celebrate Easter we need to journey through these 40 days.  Why?  Because it is good for us to take time to contemplate what Jesus did for us on the cross.  It is good for us to set apart a special time of year to identify with his sufferings in a deeper and more intentional way. 

After Jesus' 40 days in the wilderness the devil tempted him.  When Jesus was the most vulnerable, the evil one tried to get him to use his power before it was time and for the wrong reasons.  But Jesus saw through this temptation by relying on God's Word. Though Jesus was tired and hungry, he turned to God's truth for sustenance and strength to get through the trials.  Satan knew this was an opportune time to get Jesus to trust in himself rather than His father and he went for the jugular.  But by being in prayer and reciting God's Word, Jesus was able to defeat the evil and begin his journey to bring salvation to the whole world.  

What are you going through that seems to be taking a "long" time?  Where are you being tested and you feel like you are tired and feel like throwing in the towel?  Where are you tempted to stop trusting in God and His Word and just give in?  You are in a crucible, a time of testing where you faith is being refined by fire.  The devil would love for you to crumble, give in, and throw in the towel.  But the Holy Spirit will lead and guide you as he did Jesus if you are willing to surrender to him.  Though you are tempted God will provide the way of escape so you can stand up under the temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13)   

40 days is a long time, but it is often the amount of time it takes for God to do his greatest work in us.  Stay strong, pray hard and be encouraged by other brothers in Christ. And remember the promise Paul gave us in Philippians 1:6, "He who began a good work will be faithful to complete it." Even if it takes 40 days!