The End?

Then He led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up His hands He blessed them, He left them and was carried up to heaven. After worshipping Him, they returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they were continually in the temple complex praising God. Luke 24:50-53

This, almost, feels like an anticlimax. The intensity of the time leading up to the crucifixion, the time around the death of Christ and the dark days after. Suddenly all was well, Jesus had gone and the disciples were happy to move on. Luke is very much highlighting and moving on, as if racing to the next, most powerful event. When you read a novel, at the end of each chapter there is an indication of more to come. Yet with the book of Luke, you could, almost, stop at the end, but if you did you would miss the explosion of the new church. I am glad I know the Book of Acts is his next work.

John gives the most information.  When we piece it all together this period of time is not so rushed. Jesus lingers cementing relationships and when all is done, He leaves. I like John's account because He shows the relational angle of Jesus.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this study, especially needing to protract the story of the cross, being a week early with my study and having to stretch it out, I greatly appreciated this Easter and the story surrounding it. Now, like Luke, I am keen to visit the Book of Acts. It is the Holy Spirit's turn. We see what the disciples did with the message and how the Holy Spirit empowered and directed them. This is what is available for us. Exciting stuff! I trust you had a blessed Easter. All I planned to do, I did. Lots of gardening, walking my hills, gardening, reading and study thrown in as well as celebrating at church. How blessed are we to have such a gospel, such a life filled with the Holy Spirit. Amen!


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