May 2, 2016
We count the omer (the measure of barley), observing the growth of the barley harvest, while anticipating the second harvest, which is of wheat. In the Old Testament, the counting of the omer started with the Israelites, on their day of deliverance from Pharaoh. In the New Testament, the counting of the omer started with Yeshua’s resurrection.
By the 9th day of counting the omer, Yeshua had appeared in his resurrected body to several different people. He was anticipating the second harvest — the day the Spirit would be poured out, which signaled the beginning of the wheat harvest. Let’s look at these appearances that occurred by the 9th day of the omer:
On the first day of the omer, Yeshua appeared to Miriam of Magdala (Mark 16:9; John 20:16-18), some other women (Matt. 28:5-10), and then to Simon Peter (Luke 24:34; 1 Cor. 15:5).
On the second day, He appeared to the two on the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-32) and later that evening to the twelve disciples (Mark 16:14; Luke 24:33-39; John 20:19).
A week later, He appeared to the Twelve again (John 20:26)
Eight days later, Yeshua appeared to Thomas (John 20:24-29).