Monday, June 2, 2014
Luke 24:50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them.
PAUSE FOR A VIEW
While driving on the highway on a vacation trip you've probably seen those blue signs with white letters informing motorists of a scenic view coming up on the road ahead. When I see these signs I sometimes think to myself: Why not take a little time to drive off the highway and check out the view? But because of my desire to get to the place I want go, I usually speed by. In doing so, of course, I miss out on seeing the splendor of God's creation, a sight for sore eyes that I could otherwise enjoy.
Amid the hectic rush of the daily grind, our frenetic journey down the highway of life, let's not pass by but pause to take in the scenery available to our faith-view at the top of the Mount of Olives, from which our Lord ascended.
As we climb that mountain what do we see? We see Jesus lifting His hands upon us in blessing. The same hands that were stretched out on the cross a month and half before. They still show the scars from the Roman nails that held His body to the cross. In those scars He affords us a comforting reminder of the price He paid to redeem us, the holy blood He poured out to purchase us to be His, by which He obtained for us His gifts of forgiveness and life everlasting.
He's about to remove His visible presence from earth, but He wants us to remember: I will be with you to bless and keep you, to make My face shine on you and be gracious to you, to lift up My countenance upon you and give you peace ... till you arrive at your heavenly destination.
