When he [Jesus] had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.

Devotion based on Luke 24:50,51

We tend to remember people by the way they looked the last time we saw them, right? Sure! That’s part of the fun of class reunions.

What a sight Jesus gave to his disciples on this; the last time they saw him. His hands are up, in blessing. There are the nail marks, reminding them that he’s forgiven them. He’s ascending up into the sky, reminding them of his power. And the Bible tells us that “a cloud hid him from their sight.” In other words, he hadn’t left them; they just couldn’t see him with their physical eyes.

Do you think that last sight of Jesus—as they remembered the nail marks, the hands upraised in blessing, the power—may have helped the disciples? As they remembered that he remained with them—do you think that brought them peace, particularly at times of struggle? I’m sure it did.

You know what? Jesus didn’t take a few days off last week—he remained with us, just as he had promised. Nor did Jesus somehow become less powerful last week. And Jesus didn’t stop blessing us last week—those hands of his remained upraised. And Jesus didn’t stop loving us last week—the nail scars were still there. And you know what else? Jesus isn’t taking any time off this week, next week, or the week after that. And he isn’t going to leave you, or stop blessing you, or stop loving you.

He can’t! With the nail marks of the cross, he has engraved you on the palms of his hands. You are always in his sight, always in his mind, always under his powerful and loving protection.

Prayer:

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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.