The Best of the Portals of Prayer

Read: Luke 24:50-53 / Psalm 47

“He led them our as far as Bethany, and lifting up His hands He blessed them.”
Luke 24:50

The Uplifted Hands

The departure of friends is a sad occasion. But when Jesus was departed from His disciples, the occasion was one of joy. The leave-taking of loved ones often causes heaviness of heart. But when Jesus took His visible leave of His disciples, they returned to Jerusalem singing praise to God.
Why? Because the last view they had of their Lord showed Him going up into heaven with His hands uplifted in blessing. What an impression this final scene must have had on the hearts and minds of the disciples! What promise those uplifted hands held forth for them. And what promise they hold forth for us. The hands of the Ascended Lord are still uplifted in blessing. He blesses us with His divine presence even as He promised, “behold, I am with you always” [Matthew 28:20]. He blesses us with His divine intercession, for “if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” [1st John 2:1]. He blesses us through His indwelling Spirit, who sheds His love abroad in our heart, comforts us with the assurance of His forgiveness, and establishes in us His peace.
We are beneath the uplifted hands of Jesus – we are blessed.

Lord Jesus, extend Thy gracious hands over us and shower us with Thy blessings. Amen.

May 16, 1969