The Ascension

And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.
Luke 24:50–53
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The Ascension
Jesus’ disciples had followed Him for the last three years. They had suffered alongside Him as He was rejected by men. They rejoiced with Him as He healed and made alive those who were lost in darkness. Of the eleven disciples left all but one would follow Him in a martyr's death. And so it was that they would follow Him one last time as He led them out into the wilderness. Jesus leads them to Bethany, where He blesses them and is taken up into heaven. They worshiped Him and returned to Jerusalem where they began the unbroken chain of regularly worshiping God. Today, we might take for granted all that Jesus has done, neglecting to worship and thank Him for our blessings. But we are led to repentance and renewed faith each day, and Jesus continues to bless us with salvation and puts joy into our lives as we serve Him. And one day, just as He ascended into the sky so too will He come again on that last day of history. So in faith, like the disciples, we follow Christ where His Word and Sacramentans lead us. And on His return we will follow Him not by faith, but by sight.