Luke 24
"And [Jesus] led [the disciples] out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God." - Luke 24:50-53
In this last paragraph of the gospel of Luke, the word "bless" or "blessing" is used three times. Jesus is blessing the disciples, and the disciples are blessing God.
To be blessed by Jesus' nail-scarred hands is truly an honour. That blessing will definitely stick.
Where did Jesus go after his resurrection? He was carried up into heaven (v. 51). We will learn more about this in Acts 1.
Father, thank you for the forty days between Jesus' resurrection and ascension, when Jesus instructed the disciples as to their mission. Thank you for the ascension of Jesus and the pouring out of the promised Holy Spirit. We have been blessed by Jesus and are so thankful for that. May we walk closely with Jesus today and live in that blessing. In his name, amen.
- Jeff Coleman