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
Jesus is not an innovation or detour in the story of God's relationship with God's many children. This is a basic thesis of each of the Gospel writers. Here, at the close of Luke's narrative, Jesus helps his disciples understand the Scriptures to demonstrate that the seemingly shocking and shameful crucifixion was actually central to God's plan. God's promises have remained in effect and are wholly irrevocable. In these verses, Jesus prepares his followers for the difficult days ahead, too incredible to believe. They would be his witnesses even in those dark days. They would be bearers of God's precious gift in the form of the Holy Spirit.