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
This is Ascension Day, when Jesus' physical presence moved to another dimension. What Jesus does here, your pastor does every Sunday. "Lifting his hands, Jesus blessed them" (v. 50). Much earlier God told the spiritual leaders in Israel to bless the people with these words, "The Lord bless you and keep you." God said that the meaning of this act was, "So they shall put my name on the people and I will bless them" (Numbers 6:22-27). Jesus said that his blessing would bring the Holy Spirit on them and clothe them with power. And so we still know Jesus' presence and blessing in a new and powerful way.
Prayer
Blessing God, you blessed Abraham and Sarah so all families of the earth shall be blessed. Remind us of the blessing you have given us in Jesus and the power from on high that your Spirit bestows on us. Amen.