Saturday 14 July 2012
"And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the temple blessing God." (v. 53)
Background
In the few weeks of his bodily resurrectionappearances, Jesus helped the disciples believe in the reality ofhis resurrection. In the liturgical church year this is 40 daysfrom Easter Sunday to Ascension. Through these encounters Jesustalked to his disciples, helping them understand something of themeaning of the crucifixion and resurrection. Hecommissioned them to witness to his death and resurrection andcontinue his work through the power from on high that he will sendthem (Luke 24:47-49). They would become apostles,disciples who are sent.
In today's passage it is the final time Jesus will appear in arecognisable bodily form to the disciples. It is now time for himto return to the Father. This withdrawal of Jesus is pictured asJesus ascending to God. He will no longer be visible to the fewdisciples. But, through the coming of the Holy Spirit, he will beavailable to all people throughout all time.
Jesus blesseed the disciples. A blessing is a powerful prayerrequesting God's favour, a prayer for well being and fullness oflife. And the disciples will themselves become a blessing tomany.
The disciples returned to Jerusalem to wait for the powerpromised to them from on high. They had come to believe in thereality of Jesus' resurrection, and were filled with a sense ofrenewed faith and hope. They responded with a fullness of heart.They found themselves worshipping Jesus, giving him adoration,praise and reverence - treating him as they would God. Their heartswere filled with overwhelming joy, as they waited for the Spiritand discovered a renewed purpose in their lives.
To ponder
- In what ways do you feel you are blessed by God? And how areyou able to bless others through your blessings?
- When do you find yourself filled with great joy and wanting topraise God?
- Why do you think that Jesus had to withdraw from the disciplesand be carried up to heaven?