Luke 24:50 - Meaning and Application

This writer leaves out the solemn meeting between Christ and his disciples in Galilee. Instead, he adds what Jesus said there, and in other meetings, to what he said in his first visit on the evening of his resurrection day. That leaves only the ascension into heaven to describe, and he gives it in a very brief account.

First, he shows how Christ took leave of his disciples in a solemn way. Christ came to bring heaven and earth together and to stand between them as a mediator, that is, one who brings two sides together. For that reason, he had to belong to both worlds in some way. So he came from heaven to earth in his incarnation, his taking on human flesh, to finish his work here, and after that he returned to heaven to live there and carry our concerns before the Father.

He ascended from Bethany, near Jerusalem and beside the Mount of Olives. There he had done great service for his Father’s glory, and there he entered his own glory. That was also where his suffering had begun. Bethany means “house of sorrow,” and that reminds us that those who would go to heaven must rise from a place of suffering and grief. They must pass through agony on the way to joy. The Mount of Olives had long ago been chosen as the place of Christ’s ascension, where “his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives” (Zechariah 14:4). It was also the place where, not long before, he had begun his triumphant entry into Jerusalem (Luke 19:29).

The witnesses of his ascension were his disciples. He led them out to see him. It was likely very early in the morning, before most people were awake, because after his resurrection he did not show himself openly to everyone, only to chosen witnesses. The disciples did not see him rise from the grave, because they could prove the resurrection by seeing him alive afterward. But they did see him go up into heaven, because they could not otherwise have a direct witness of the ascension. They were led out on purpose to see it, and they kept their eyes on him as he went.

His farewell was given with blessing. He lifted up his hands and blessed them. He did not leave in anger, but in love. He left a blessing behind him. He lifted his hands, as the high priest did when he blessed the people (Leviticus 9:22). He blessed with authority, giving the blessing he had earned. He blessed them as Jacob blessed his sons. The apostles now stood as representatives of the twelve tribes, so in blessing them he blessed all his spiritual Israel, his people in the faith, and placed his Father’s name upon them. Like Jacob and Moses when they parted from God’s people, he showed that having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

He was parted from them while blessing them. That does not mean he stopped blessing them when he left. Rather, it shows that his going away did not end his blessing. His intercession in heaven, his speaking to the Father on our behalf, continues that blessing. He began to bless them on earth, and he went to heaven to keep doing it. Since he was sending his apostles to preach the gospel to the world, he gave them his blessing, not only for themselves, but to be passed on in his name to all who would believe through their message. In him all the families of the earth were to be blessed.

His ascension is described simply. He was parted from them, taken away from their head, as Elijah was taken from Elisha. The lesson is plain, even the closest friends must part. Those who love us, pray for us, and teach us must still be separated from us. We cannot expect the bodily presence of Christ himself to remain in this world forever. Those who knew him in the flesh must now know him that way no longer.

He was carried up into heaven, not by force, but by his own power. Just as he rose from the dead by his own power, so he ascended by his own power, though angels attended him. He needed no chariot of fire or horses of fire. He knew the way, and as the Lord from heaven, he could return there himself. He went up in a cloud, like the angel in the smoke of Manoah’s sacrifice (Judges 13:20).

Second, the disciples continued faithfully in their worship and obedience, even after he was parted from them. They paid him homage as he went away, showing that though he was going into a far country, they still accepted his rule over them. They worshiped him (Luke 24:52). Christ expects worship from those who receive blessings from him. He had blessed them, and in gratitude they worshiped him. This fresh display of his glory drew fresh praise from them. They knew that even though he was hidden from their sight, he could still see and receive their worship. The cloud that took him out of their sight did not hide them from him.

They returned to Jerusalem with great joy. They had been told to stay there until the Spirit was poured out on them, and they obeyed, even though Jerusalem was a place of danger. They went back and stayed there rejoicing. This was a remarkable change, and it came from their understanding being opened. When Christ said he must leave, sorrow filled their hearts. But now that they saw him go, they were filled with joy, because they finally understood that it was good for them and for the church that he should go away and send the Comforter, the Holy Spirit. The glory of Christ is the joy, the great joy, of all true believers even in this world. It will be much more so when they go to the new Jerusalem and find him there in glory.

While they waited for the Father’s promise, they were full of devotion (Luke 24:53). They kept attending the temple services at the hours of prayer. God had not yet completely left the temple, so they did not leave it either. They were continually in the temple, as their Master had often been when he was in Jerusalem. The Lord loves the gates of Zion, and so should we. Some think the disciples met in one of the temple chambers, perhaps one belonging to a Levite who favored them. Others think that is unlikely, because the chief priests and rulers would hardly have allowed it, or failed to notice it.

They knew that temple sacrifices had been replaced by Christ’s sacrifice, but they still joined in the temple songs. While waiting for God’s promises, we should meet them with praise. Praising and blessing God is never out of season. Nothing prepares the heart better for receiving the Holy Spirit than holy joy and praise. Praise quiets fears, softens sorrows, and keeps hope alive.

The word “Amen” at the end seems to have been added by the church and by every believer when the gospel was read. It shows agreement with the truths of the gospel and a sincere joining in with all Christ’s disciples in praising and blessing God. Amen, let him be praised and blessed forever.