We make a huge mistake when we read the Bible in the same way that we read a newspaper. Newspapers give you as much information as they can “up front”. In other words, they give you a big headline and then spend a few paragraphs giving you the facts of the story. In the first few sentences of the article, you get a majority of the important information.
On the other hand, in a novel or a story the most important information is held until the very end. You do not know all that you need to know unless you read right to the last page.
With that in mind, it is important for us to remember that the Bible is more “story” than “newspaper”. The Bible contains a lot of facts, but they are sprinkled throughout the story.
As the gospel of Luke closes, we come across the most important parts of his message: the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. We need to keep reading, though, because the second last verse in the book contains one of the most important details of all.
“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).
Why did Jesus make sure that the disciples saw him ascend to heaven and why does Luke, inspired by the Holy Spirit, think it is important to record this information twice (here and in Acts 1)? I mean, Jesus could have just stopped showing up. Why go through the big deal of his ascending into the sky, through the clouds and out of their sight?
Could it be that he wanted to make sure that they knew that his permanent dwelling was somewhere other than earth? Maybe his departure was a lesson to them that this was not going to be their eternal home, either. As John remembers him saying, “I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:2-3).
Luke’ gospel is not over until you read the very last verses, because, like any good author, God saves the best for the last.
Jesus went home, he is coming back and we can go to be with him. If we focus on those facts, then our story can have a “happily ever after” ending as well (See 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11).
On the other hand, in a novel or a story the most important information is held until the very end. You do not know all that you need to know unless you read right to the last page.
With that in mind, it is important for us to remember that the Bible is more “story” than “newspaper”. The Bible contains a lot of facts, but they are sprinkled throughout the story.
As the gospel of Luke closes, we come across the most important parts of his message: the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. We need to keep reading, though, because the second last verse in the book contains one of the most important details of all.
“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).
Why did Jesus make sure that the disciples saw him ascend to heaven and why does Luke, inspired by the Holy Spirit, think it is important to record this information twice (here and in Acts 1)? I mean, Jesus could have just stopped showing up. Why go through the big deal of his ascending into the sky, through the clouds and out of their sight?
Could it be that he wanted to make sure that they knew that his permanent dwelling was somewhere other than earth? Maybe his departure was a lesson to them that this was not going to be their eternal home, either. As John remembers him saying, “I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:2-3).
Luke’ gospel is not over until you read the very last verses, because, like any good author, God saves the best for the last.
Jesus went home, he is coming back and we can go to be with him. If we focus on those facts, then our story can have a “happily ever after” ending as well (See 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11).
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