(50)  And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. (51)  And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. (52)  And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: (53)  And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

Luke 24:50-53

Explanation:

Bethany is this village on the mount of olives. We see the disciples here with Jesus.  We know and will see in our study of Acts a parallel passage and further things that He said to them. Here he blesses them.  This is a time for goodbye in a sense, though He told them He would be with them, even to the end of the age.  Look at what happened in verse 51

(51)  And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.

Luke 24:51

Jesus ascends into heaven.  We know that He sits down at the right hand of God.  Look at the reaction of the disciples:

(52)  And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: (53)  And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

Luke 24:52-53

So what did they do? They worshipped him. They went to the temple, where this veil was torn from top to bottom. Now, before Jesus was resurrected they were staying in the Upper room. Why were they in the upper room?  We were told they were afraid. Now that Jesus had revealed Himself and His purpose to send them to these disciples, look at where they went.  They went to the temple.  Who was at the temple?  Those who had helped kill Jesus. Their fear was subsided.  Jesus had authorized them to make disciples. Jesus had commissioned them to be on His mission. These men in the temple had killed Jesus, and He had risen again. The disciple’s mindset changed.  What could those in the temple do to them?  Jesus was alive, and Jesus had said, “Because I live, ye shall live also.”

Application

The end of discipleship is sending to the ends of the earth so that the whole earth would know, love, serve and worship Jesus Christ!

Response:

Take some time to worship God today for all that He did, and all that He taught you through this study in the book of Luke.