When he 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. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.
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Farewells are often excruciating, especially when the one leaving has played an indispensable part in life, being constantly present up till that moment. And when you know the farewell itself is final, with no prospect of ever meeting again, face to face, in this lifetime, it is that much more difficult.
Which then yields the surprise of this final moment in Luke’s Gospel. The disciples, having seen Jesus taken from them, return to Jerusalem positively elated. They were filled with “great joy.”Indeed, they were “continually … praising God.” What gives?
The answer comes from at least four sources:
(1) His blessing. “He lifted up his hands and blessed them.”Although we’re not told its specific content, I’m sure it evoked some of the things he’d spoke to them in the Upper Room just prior to the cross. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives” (John 14:27). “The Spirit of truth … lives with you and will be in you” (John 14:17). “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you” (John 14:18). With the blessing of his peace and Spirit and presence resting on them, the disciples were fortified for joy.
(2) His mission. Although Luke doesn’t highlight it here, Matthew lets us know that before his departure, Jesus had specifically passed along his own mission to these disciples. “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). So charged, the disciples would have been energized and focused, ready as Jesus’ ambassadors to accomplish his purposes. The further story of Acts lets us witness the intensity of their passion.
(3) His hope. There was something for the near term and something to sustain them each day therafter. He’d just told them: “I’m going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high” (verse 49). This sure hope was realized within ten days as the promised Holy Spirit fell on that whole community of believers, anointing them with power to fulfill the calling Jesus had given. But longer term, there was a further hope, not yet realized, but as certain as the first. Luke tells us in Acts that before these disciples returned to Jerusalem they were visited by two angels– suddenly, unexpectedly, out of the blue – who declared: “This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go”(Acts 1:11). All the days stretching before them were undergirded by this assurance – he’s coming back!
(4) His words. Everything Jesus had spoken to them would soon come alive with rich encouragement. But I’m thinking specifically of words spoken in the Upper Room, decisively describing their present experience. “You will grieve,” Jesus said, anticipating the cross, “but your grief will turn to joy … I will see you again, and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy” (John 16:20, 22). This was joy unspeakable, joy unstoppable, joy unending. Jesus had declared it. Now they were living it.
No wonder, then, that they returned to Jerusalem as they did. No wonder they continually praised God thereafter. The story was not yet over. The journey was not yet done. The Master would still be leading.
Indeed, from glory to glory.
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Lord Jesus, I look for you to continue your leadership in my life also. I receive your peace. I rejoice in your Spirit. I love your presence. Strengthen me to walk more fully in your mission. Lift my sights more clearly to the certainty of your coming. And may joy unspeakable – your joy made manifest – be the atmosphere of my life. For your glory. Amen.
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Reflect:
So many things sustained the disciples’ joy. Choose one. Pray into it today. Ask the Lord to refresh it in your own experience.
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Photo by Natasha Fernandez:
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