Luke 24:50

“And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.”

Context:Luke 24:50 is part of the concluding verses of the Gospel of Luke. This verse takes place after the resurrection of Jesus and just before His ascension into heaven. Jesus appears to His disciples and leads them to Bethany, where He blesses them before departing from them.

Importance of Bethany:Bethany was a village located on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives, about two miles east of Jerusalem. It was a significant location in Jesus’ ministry, as it was the home of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha, whom Jesus had close relationships with. By leading His disciples to Bethany, Jesus was returning to a familiar place where He had spent time with those He loved.

The Action of “Lifting Up His Hands”:In this verse, we see Jesus lifting up His hands to bless His disciples. This action signifies a priestly blessing, similar to the way priests in the Old Testament would bless the people. By doing so, Jesus is imparting a special blessing upon His followers, invoking God’s favour, protection, and provision over them.

The Blessing:Though the specific words of Jesus’ blessing are not recorded in Luke’s Gospel, it is a significant moment for His disciples. The blessing signifies the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry and His affirmation of His disciples’ mission to continue His work after His departure. The disciples would have received comfort, encouragement, and empowerment through this blessing.

The Ascension:Following this scene, Luke describes Jesus being carried up into heaven (Luke 24:51). The ascension of Jesus is a crucial event, as it marks His return to the right hand of the Father, where He reigns as Lord and intercedes for His followers. The ascension also foreshadows the promise of His second coming.

• Application:Luke 24:50 reminds us of the significance of Jesus’ blessing and His commission to continue His work. As believers, we are recipients of Jesus’ blessing and are called to be His witnesses and continue His ministry in the world. We can draw strength and encouragement from knowing that Jesus has gone before us, and His blessing empowers us to fulfil our purpose.