Luke 24:44-53 (NRSV)
Read Luke 24:44-53 on biblegateway.com
Verse 44Then he said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you-that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled." Verse 45Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, Verse 46and he said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, Verse 47and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. Verse 48You are witnesses of these things. Verse 49And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."
Verse 50Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. Verse 51While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. Verse 52And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; Verse 53and they were continually in the temple blessing God.
Devotion
Ascension Day is a national holiday in many European countries. In America it is a common workday, except where Christians celebrate it. As a pastor, I used to hold a worship service on the eve of the day. Originally, the Resurrection and the Ascension were considered a unity.
It is a “sending” celebration. Its thrust is that “repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations.” The primary purpose of the church is to be a “witness” of the saving work of God to a world in need of salvation.
The final act of our Lord was to bless the church for its mission. While he was blessing the people, he withdrew from them and was carried into heaven. As the witnesses of his ascension did, we continue to worship the Lord with great joy.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, open our minds to understand the scriptures that bear witness to you so that we might be faithful witnesses. Amen.