WE are in that ‘in between time’. The Bible records that for 40 days after the first Easter morning, Jesus appeared to his disciples and to many others.
Forty is often used symbolically of a time between two eras. It rained for 40 days while Noah, his family and the animals were in the ark. On three occasions Moses was on Mount Sinai for 40 days and 40 nights – most notably when the 10 commandments were given. For 40 years Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt towards the promised land. Elijah the prophet walked for 40 days before arriving at mount Horeb. Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness of temptation. Forty denotes a time of waiting and expectation of new and good things to come.
It often used to be said that the British wait in a patient and orderly fashion. Maybe not so much now with the ever increasing pace of life, when everything is expected with immediacy.