THE Lord Jesus had risen from the dead, and once more He led His disciples to the slopes of Olivet. “He led them out as far as to Bethany.” (Luke 24:5050And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. (Luke 24:50).) It was His last day upon earth, though little did His disciples know that such was the case. Their hearts were set upon the kingdom. “Lord,” said they, “wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:66When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? (Acts 1:6).) What should hinder? The religion and the rule of man reach no further than the grave. Priests and Pilate had done all that man could do— Him they had crucified. But lo! Him God had raised from the dead. The power of God had been established, and man’s worst wishes were forever frustrated. Jesus was risen. The King could die no more. What then should hinder the incoming of the kingdom? Surely as those men, who had seen their beloved Master scourged, spit upon, and crowned with thorns, looked into His face, they might well inquire, “Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” and seek His royal honors.
But with gentle words Jesus bade His loved ones know that the times and the seasons were not for them to be acquainted with. The Father had other things in store for His children. True, the kingdom shall come, the Father’s will shall be done on earth as it is in heaven; but other things must first take place. Witness to the risen Jesus should be given to the wide world, beginning from the earth’s dark center — Jerusalem, where He had been crucified, and to this end the Holy Ghost was about to come from heaven to enable the disciples to give the testimony.
Now when the Lord had so spoken, He bade His disciples His blessed farewell, “He lifted up His hands and blessed them” — those hands which some forty days before had been nailed to the cross. And in the gracious act of blessing, “while He blessed them, He was parted from them.” So Jesus left this earth, blessing His people upon it. Thus He took His leave of His own below. Then “He was parted from them, and carried up into heaven,” “and a cloud received Him out of their sight.”
With rapt amazement they saw Him rise, and “they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up.” Adoring wonder filled their souls. Jesus crucified was risen, Jesus risen was taken up to heaven, and the glory embraced Him, “a cloud received Him out of their sight.”
The work of the blessed Lord on earth was ended, and His last act on earth was blessing — yea, as He was parted from them, He was still seen with uplifted hands for them. The work on earth was over, but the love was still the same. Whether on earth or in heaven, His hands are lifted up to bless His people, for He is “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, to-day, and forever.”
We love and prize the last words and the last acts of our friends; let us love and prize the last words — blessing, and the last act on earth — hands uplifted, of Him who in infinite condescension has made Himself our Friend indeed.,