Reflecting on Luke 24:50-53“While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.” (Luke 24:51)
When we visit our daughter’s family in Europe, the hardest part is saying goodbye.
I can relate to blessing them, and then leaving them.
My leaving does not mean I do not love them, nor want them to be blessed.
With our heart’s overflowing, we leave with deep sorrow and hope.
Hope that they will be well, be blessed, until we meet again.
Jesus was fully human in the best way possible.
He experienced life in a sin-messed, death-cursed world.
Jesus could relate: “Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” (Hebrews 2:18)
This also applies to sorrows that come to us in this life, like painful goodbyes.
Jesus’s absence is not a sign of abandonment; His love endures forever.
He is still in the same posture of blessing, hands raised and smiling love.
He intercedes for us, and rules this world on our behalf, to bless us.
And one day we will see Him, hands raised and smiling love, returning with blessing.
Let this picture of Jesus blessing you fill you with love, joy, peace and hope!
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, this vision of Your blessing is what stayed with the disciples until they died, and saw You again. May this vision of Your blessing strengthen and sustain me until I see Your blessed, smiling face!