Luke 24:50-53

1. Let us notice the remarkable manner in which our Lord left His disciples.
2. Let us notice the place to which our Lord went when He left the world.
3. Let us notice the feelings of our Lord's disciples when He finally left them and was carried up into heaven.

"If we know anything of true religion, forever let our souls lean on the gracious heart of Christ. We shall never find a heart more tender, more loving, more patient, more compassionate, and more kind. To talk of Mary, the mother of Christ, as being more compassionate than Christ Himself is a proof of miserable ignorance."

"The grand secret of the perseverance of saints is Christ's appearance for them in heaven. They have an everlasting Advocate with the Father, and therefore they are never cast away."

"But it may be well suspected that dim and indistinct views of the gospel are the true cause of many a believer's discomfort. When the Lord Jesus is not clearly known and understood, it must follow that there is little joy in the Lord."

Questions:

1. Ryle points out that Jesus came to bless, and leaves in the act of blessing. We see here the compassionate heart of Christ that never changes and is ever ready to bless. Are we leaning on this gracious heart?
2. Ryle mentions that as Jesus left, so will He come. Let us ask ourselves: for this day am I waiting, longing, and praying?
3. Ryle declares that a settled principle should be that a little degree of joy with many believers feel often arises from lack of knowledge. Do we search the Scriptures and pray over them with hearts to know and love the Lord or do we just scratch the surface of Scripture when we read? Beloved brothers and sisters, as we finish Luke, may this coming year be marked by a settled purpose of heart to seek more spiritual knowledge and search and pray through the Scriptures more heartily. May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with you!