Wild Blessing!

Peter Neilson April 28, 2024 2 1

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Luke 24: 50-53 (NIVUK)

50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.

While he was blessing them, he left them...

We talk of the ministry of presence. There is also the ministry of absence. Jesus modelled that as he lifted up his hands, blessed his disciples, and left. He had told them that he had to leave so that the “Comforter” could come and be with them. They could not enter the next phase of God’s salvation plan, without that space being left open. No longer God with them in the flesh as Immanuel. The new phase would be God within them and among them, Spirit communing with spirit in the depths of their being and in their relationships.

Where is my presence no longer a blessing, but a barrier to others entering into that deeper communion with God for themselves? Is it time to bless and leave? Time to let the wild wind of the Spirit blow where it will.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ, you lift your hands in blessing over us.

The blessing falls, and we are lifted up.

Lord Jesus Christ, you leave to go into the unknown.

The familiar becomes unfamiliar,

and we can only bow in worship before the mystery.

Lord, make us a blessing to others today,

By gentle presence, or costly absence,

Or simply silence. AMEN