What Was the Last Thing Jesus Did On Earth?

How did you answer the question posed in the title? This past Sunday as I asked that question to a wonderful group of believers giving them a hint by stretching out my arms with palms facing the congregation to demonstrate Jesus’ powerful lasting gift to His children. The Gospel of Luke paints for us a beautiful picture of this transforming moment:

“When He had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, He lifted up His hands and blessed them. While He was blessing them, He left them and was taken up into heaven.” (Luke 24:50-51)

To be honest I haven’t thought about that passage in a long time but Sunday morning in my quiet time the Spirit brought me there to dwell, learn, and be encouraged. Now I don’t want to forget this transforming scene of Jesus with nailed scarred hands reaching out to His beloved children with eternal blessings.

Notice the response of His disciples after He blessed them:

“Then they worshiped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple praising God.” (Luke 24:52-53)

Their best friend, Savior/King, just left them, yet, they were overcome with worship, and heavens glorious joy and they could not stop praising God. His disciples understood the blessing and all the promises that came with it as the Father’s dearly loved children.  Jesus, the forever Heavenly High Priest, had been taken into the eternal temple to reign next to the Father and daily intercede on our behalf. Daily, the Father sees us through the perfect work of Jesus who at this very moment reaches out His hands to bless us with supernatural love.

On Sunday right after I shared this text an 8 year old girl got up to sing a song that she wrote herself. With her beautiful smile and heart gripping voice she declared that we need not be stressed or worried, even when things get tough at school because Jesus is always with her giving peace. She understood in her heart the gift of Jesus holding her tightly with hands that will never let her go.

With all the noise and negativity in our world we need to hear another message and be captivated by a greater reality depicted in Jesus’ final act on earth before taking the throne of glory. He wanted us to remember His outstretched arms and His Holy Hands resting on our heads with Heavenly blessings that can never be taken away. We need to be able to sing out as that 8 year old girl that we don’t need to be stressed or worried because of the blessing of Jesus!

Let this picture overtake your mind.  Hear these words of Jesus paraphrased from Numbers 6:22-27:

I bless you. I will keep and protect you forever with My hands. My face always sees you and smiles over you my beloved child.  My grace covers over all of your sins and gives you all the treasures of Heaven. My favor is with you as you walk through the challenges of life.  And I promise my presence will always be with you. I give you my perfect peace. Amen!

May this Heavenly blessing flow through you and may you experience the authentic love of Jesus.