Luke 24:50-53
These verses are the winding up of Luke’s history of our Lord’s ministry. They form a suitable conclusion to a Gospel, which in touching tenderness and full exhibition of Christ’s grace, stands first among the four records of the things which Jesus did and taught. (Acts 1:1)
Let us notice, firstly, in this passage, the remarkable manner in which our Lord left His disciples. We read that “He lifted up His hands and blessed them. And it came to pass, while He blessed them, He was parted from them.” In one word, He left them when in the very act of blessing.
We cannot for a moment doubt that there was a meaning in this circumstance. It was intended to remind the disciples of all that Jesus had brought with Him when He came into the world. It was intended to assure them of what He would yet do, after He left the world. He came on earth to bless and not to curse, and blessing He departed.–He came in love and not in anger, and in love He went away.–He came not as a condemning judge, but as a compassionate Friend, and as a Friend He returned to His Father.–He had been a Saviour full of blessings to His little flock while He had been with them. He would be a Saviour full of blessings to them, He would have them know, even after He was taken away.