Luke 24:50-53
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Take a moment to settle into your surroundings and then begin to recognize your breath. As you breathe in, call on the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
Begin with the final verse from our last passage (Luke 24:49) and then read today’s passage, Luke 24:50-53 visualizing the scene.
Luke’s Gospel narrative ends before the story is over, but he will pick up the thread again in his second letter to Theophilus which we know as “The Acts of the Apostles.” For the community of Jesus, the ending of Luke’s Gospel is only the beginning.
Soon they will experience the in-filling of the Holy Spirit as they worship and pray together on the day of Pentecost. And then they will spend the rest of their lives proclaiming and demonstrating the Kingdom of God to anyone with ears to hear and eyes to see. But for now, they are content to wait and worship.
Spend some time worshiping Jesus. If you like, you could simply finish the sentence, “Jesus you are…” over and over.
Read Luke 24:50-53 again.
When Jesus was taken from the community the first time, they were filled with sorrow and confusion. But now that they have been in the presence of the risen Jesus, his departure elicits joy and worship. Having had their minds opened to an enlarged reality, they finally trust Jesus completely, and they know he will fulfill his promises. They will be his agents of shalom through the power of his Spirit, and Jesus will be with them always.
Take a few moments to consider how Jesus has spoken to you through Luke’s Gospel. Has Jesus enlarged your reality in any way over the past several months? How have you changed over these months as you journeyed with Jesus through Luke’s narrative?
Stay with these questions for a while as you share your thoughts openly with Jesus. When you are ready, become still and see if Jesus has anything he wants to say to you.
What might Jesus be inviting you to do today?
Will you?
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The Everyday Jesus Follower’s Guide ebook can help you learn how to recognize God's voice, how to read and understand the Bible, how to develop deep spiritual friendships, and how to become the person you were meant to be. Use it alone, with a friend or in a small group.
