“And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.” (Luke 24:50-51 KJV).
In these passages, we see our Lord Jesus chose ascending to heaven from Bethany, a place with its roots meaning "house of sorrows" or "house of depression". But historically, it is known as a place of rest and intimacy as our Lord Jesus often stayed here with His friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. This reminds us that our Lord Jesus Christ meets us right in our places of sorrow or downcast state of being, bringing supernatural elevation and transformation of our heavy hearts into a place of comfort and rest.
These highlight that our Lord did not leave His disciples out of anger, disappointment, or frustration over their failures or lack of faith. Instead, His final posture with them was one of deep affirmation and love, ensuring that the last image the disciples had of Him was His hands lifted high in blessing with its nail scars itched in their minds and hearts. His nail-pierced hands reminds of the finished work of the cross. The blessing is not earned by human efforts. Rather, it flows entirely through Him by the full ransom payment He made for our sins, securing our peace, righteousness, and wholeness.
He ensures that, “while He was parted from them, He was blessing them." Our Lord Jesus Christ our permanent High Priest after the order of Melchizedek—ascended into heaven while actively blessing His disciples. This signifies an eternal, continuous, and uninterrupted stream of blessing over all of us believers, then and now. For we have a High Priest forever, as it is written: “So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”; as he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”” (Hebrews 5:5-6 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC.
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC.
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
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