Blessed Into What's Next

“Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day... You are witnesses of these things. And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised...’ Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them... While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven.”
—Luke 24:45–51

There’s something powerful about a blessing.

Not a rushed goodbye or a polite “take care,” but a real, heartfelt moment where someone speaks words of love and hope over your life. That’s what Jesus does here. As he prepares to return to heaven, he doesn’t leave his disciples in confusion or fear—he leaves them with a blessing.

Let’s be honest: most of us don’t love change. Even good changes can feel a little scary. Transitions—such as graduations, retirements, new jobs, and loved ones passing—can leave us wondering what comes next and if we’re truly ready for it.

And here’s Jesus, standing with his friends on a hillside, lifting his hands not to wave goodbye but to bless them. And while he’s still blessing them—right in the middle of that holy moment—he rises into heaven.

And the disciples? They don’t panic. They don’t fall apart. They head back to Jerusalem filled with joy. That part always amazes me.

Why joy? Because Jesus reminded them that the story wasn’t ending—it was just beginning. He had opened their hearts and minds to everything they had lived through together, and he promised they wouldn’t be alone. The Spirit was coming. They were ready, even if they didn’t feel ready.

And maybe that’s a word for us, too.

You might be standing on the edge of something new today—something exciting or something bittersweet. You might be carrying questions, fears, or just that ache that comes with change. But hear this: Jesus doesn’t just send us out—he blesses us forward. He goes with us. And what’s ahead? It may be unknown, but it’s not empty. The Spirit is still coming. The promise still holds.

Jesus,
Sometimes, change is hard.
Help me remember that you don’t send me out alone.
Thank you for the blessing you speak over my life.
When I feel unsure, please fill me with your peace.
And when I step into something new, remind me you’re already there.
Amen.