44 Jesus said to them, “These are the words I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.” 45 Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.

46 And He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and in His name repentance and forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things.

49 And behold, I am sending the promise of My Father upon you. But remain in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

50 When Jesus had led them out as far as Bethany, He lifted up His hands and blessed them. 51 While He was blessing them, He left them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 praising God continually in the temple.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Lachlan Shead

This year, my brother took me to watch Dune: Part Two in cinemas. I really enjoyed the movie; but then I left the theatre, and Dune really hasn't affected me since then. Sometimes faith feels similar to me. We live in the Last Days, between the resurrection and return of Jesus. Both of these events can feel far removed from day-to-day life.

Today we see the disciples at the very beginning of the Last Days. Jesus has been raised from the dead, and he tells them to wait until he will pour out the Spirit on them. The Spirit will give them power and courage to begin proclaiming this news. Then he ascends to heaven.

If the disciples had felt like me, their next steps would be like leaving a movie theatre: getting back to life as normal. Maybe they'd pick up fishing again. But instead, Jesus changes everything for them: "they worshipped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, praising God continually in the temple" (v 52-53). As I’ve thought about why they were so deeply transformed, two things have stood out to me.

First, people have been longing for a restored relationship with God ever since the fall. We see this at the beginning of Luke’s Gospel. For example, Zechariah thanks God that Jesus will "give to His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of sins" (Luke 1:77). In today's passage, Jesus makes it clear that he has brought that restored relationship – his death and resurrection mean repentance and forgiveness of sins are now available to people from all nations (v 47)!

Second, Jesus ascends while he is blessing his followers (v 50-51). There's no gap between the blessing of the resurrection and the blessing of the Spirit. Here we see Jesus' constant attitude toward his people: he delights in blessing us with every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3).

This passage brings us to the end of Luke's Gospel. But rightly responding to Jesus is nothing like leaving a cinema. We who trust in Jesus enjoy this same salvation and blessing, through the same Spirit! Let's join in praising God for his great mercy.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lachlan is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.