A great last impression
by Maria Rudolph
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While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven (Luke 24:51).
Read Luke 24:44-53
Today is Ascension Day! We celebrate Jesus being taken up to heaven. Luke is the only one who records this event for us, and he was so taken by it that he recorded it not once, but twice – it is the final story of his gospel account and the very first story of his other New Testament writing, the Book of Acts (1:4-9). If we put these two accounts together, our last impression of Jesus on this earth is that of him saying ‘You will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth’, while blessing his followers. Talk about going out with a bang! The first impression Jesus made on the world was so impactful that we are still celebrating it year in and year out: his arrival was marked by a bright star and angels appeared to unassuming shepherds in the fields near Bethlehem. His last impression on this earth left his disciples joyfully worshipping and praising God, while two angels appeared and foretold the next coming of our Lord. Through Jesus, God has made a lasting impression on this world: redemption, restoration, renewal. Jesus left to make way for the Holy Spirit to come and settle in each of our hearts. Jesus resided with God’s people, and the Holy Spirit resides within God’s people. Ascension Day is the fulfilment of Jesus telling his disciples (John 16:7): ‘It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.’ Through his Holy Spirit, God is not only constantly with us, as Jesus was with his disciples, but in fact within us. Jesus departed this earth with a blessing – and now we are blessed to be a blessing, so the next generation can be a blessing, and then the next, until our Jesus comes again in all his glory.
Can you make today a day on which you pray God’s blessings over all the people who cross your path?
Ascended Lord Jesus, we stand in awe of you as we see you lifted up on the clouds to take your place at the right hand of the Father. Thank you for pouring out your blessings on us. Help us to bless those we love and those who are giving us a hard time, too. Make us ready for your return. Amen.
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