Luke 24:52-53

And they worshipped him,— The apostles, having seen their Master ascend into heaven, were fully convinced of his having come down from thence, and of his being the true Messiah. This persuasion they testified by paying him divine honours; they worshipped him: and they returned to Jerusalem, filled with great joy, not only on account of his resurrection, but because they considered it not as their Master's final parting with them. Separate, however, from this consideration, it must have rejoiced them exceedingly to think,that their Lord, in his glorified humanity, was so singularly honoured by his heavenly Father, and received up into a state of everlasting felicity and glory, in which he would be able to protect all his faithful followers, and to provide, in the most effectual manner, for their present and eternal happiness. See John 14:1. Some have imagined,by comparing the 53rd verse with Acts 1:13 that the apostles dwelt for some time afterwards in an upper chamber of the temple; but I doubt whether they had any such interest with the priests as to allow us to suppose that they would permit them to lodge in an apartment of the temple. It is sufficient that they were always there at the proper seasons; for it is well known that by night the temple was shut up. Compare Luke 2:37 and John 18:20. See also the note on Matthew 28:20. As we have subjoined Inferences and Reflections on the resurrection at the close of the two former evangelists, and propose, at the end of St. John's gospel, to give a summary of this remarkable event, we shall here, though rather forestalling some circumstances in the sacred history, subjoin a few Inferences drawn from our Lord's ascension, making a few cursory remarks on the resurrection in our Reflections at the end of this chapter.

Inferences drawn from the ascension.—Who can be rigorous in censuring the ignorance of well-meaning Christians, when he sees the domestic followers of Christ, even after his resurrection, mistake the main end of his coming in the flesh? Lord, said they, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? Acts 1:6. They saw their Master now out of the reach of all Jewish envy; they saw his power unlimited and irresistible: they saw him stay so long upon earth, that they might imagine he meant to fix his abode there;—and what should he do there but reign?-O weak thoughts of well-instructed disciples! What should a heavenly body do on an earthly throne? How should a spiritual life be employed in secular cares? How poor a business is the temporal kingdom of Israel for the king of heaven? and even yet, O blessed Saviour, I do not hear thee sharply controul this erroneous conceit of thy mistaken followers; thy mild correction insists rather (Acts 1:7.) upon the time, than the misconceived substance of that restoration. It was thy gracious purpose, that thy Spirit should by degrees rectify their judgments, and illuminate them with thy divine truths; in the mean time, it was sufficient to elevate their hearts to an expectation of that Holy Ghost, who should shortly lead them into all needful and requisite information:—and now, with a gracious promise of that Spirit of thine, (Luke 24:49.) with a careful charge renewed to thy disciples for the promulgation of thy gospel; with a heavenly benediction of all thy wondering attendants,—thou takest leave of earth, Luke 24:51. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.

O happy parting! fit for the Saviour of mankind, answerable to that divine conversation, to that succeeding glory! blessed Jesu, let me so far imitate thee, as to depart hence with a blessing in my mouth; and let my soul, when it is stepping over the threshold of heaven, leave behind it a legacy of peace and happiness!
From the mount of Olives thou wouldst take thy rise into heaven; the place whence thou hadst been accustomed to shower down thy heavenly doctrine upon thy hearers; the place whence thou hadst been wont to send up thy prayers to thy heavenly Father. On this very hill was the bloody sweat of thine agony; now is it the mount of thy triumph: from this mount of Olives did flow that oil of gladness, wherewith thy church is constantly refreshed. And even to us, thy unworthy members, O Saviour, dost thou give a seasonable proportion of joy for our heaviness, comfort for our mourning, spiritual honour for our contempt and shame. Our agonies shall be answered with exaltation.

Whither then, blessed Jesu, whither didst thou ascend,—but home into thine heaven? Thou hast now climbed up that infinite steepness, and left all sublimity below thee: already hast thou approved thyself Lord and Commander of earth, of sea, of hell; the earth confessed thee her Lord, when at thy voice she rendered thee up Lazarus;—when she shook at thy passion, and gave up her deceased saints. The sea acknowledged thee, in that it became a pavement to thy feet, and, at thy command, to the feet of thy disciple; in that it became thy treasury for thy tribute-money. Hell found and acknowledged thee, who conqueredst all the powers of darkness, even him who had the power of death,—the devil. It now only remained that thou shouldst ascend to thy celestial abode; that so every knee might bow to thee both in heaven, on the earth, and under the earth. Gracious Redeemer, I see now where thou art, even far above all heavens at the right hand of paternal glory. Oh do thou raise up my heart thither to thee; place thou my affections on thee above, and teach me therefore to love heaven, because thou art there.

Now, if ever, my soul, be thou enraptured with the contemplation of this comfortable, this blessed farewel of thy Lord. Methinks I see it still with their eyes, how thou, my glorious Saviour, dost insensibly rise up from thine Olivet, taking leave of thine astonished disciples now left behind thee, with gracious eyes, with heavenly benedictions. How unwillingly did their attentive eyes in return let go so blessed an object? How unwelcome that cloud which interposed itself betwixt thee and them, and, closing up, left only a glorious splendor behind it, as the bright track of thine ascension! With what piercing regards did these transported beholders follow their ascending Saviour?—as if they would pierce that cloud, and lay open that heaven which hid thee from them.

But, what tongue of the highest archangel in heaven, can express the welcome given thee, the King of Glory, into those blessed regions of immortality? Never, surely, did the empyreal realms resound with such transcendent joy. "God ascended with jubilation, and the Lord with the sound of the trump." If when the only-begotten Son of God was brought into the world, He said, Let all the angels worship him; how much more now that he ascendeth up on high, and leadeth captivity captive! If the holy angels did so carol at his obscure and humble birth; with what boundless triumph must they receive him now, returning from the perfect achievement of the great atonement! If when David his type had vanquished Goliath, and was carrying the head into Jerusalem—if then the damsels came forth to meet him with dances and timbrels; how did those angelic spirits triumph now, on meeting the great conqueror of death and hell: how did they sing, Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors, and the King of Glory shall come in!

And why dost not thou, O Christian, help to bear thy part with this happy choir of heaven? Why is not thy heart rapt out of thy bosom with an extasy of joy, to see this human nature of ours exalted above all the company of heaven, adored of angels and archangels, and all those illustrious and mighty spirits, and sitting there crowned with infinite glory and majesty?—Alas! little will it avail thee, that our nature is thus honoured, if the benefit of this ascension does not reflect upon thee. How many are there miserable in themselves, notwithstanding all this glory of the human nature in Christ! But how is this?—None but those who are found in him, who are partakers of his divine nature, can be happier by him; none but the faithful persevering members can be finally the better for the glory of the head.

O blessed Jesu! thou that art the way, hast made the way for thyself and all the faithful: Thou didst humble thyself, and becamest obedient unto death, even the death of the cross; therefore hath God also highly exalted thee: and upon the same terms, will he not fail to advance thy true disciples. We see thy track before us of humility and obedience. O teach us to follow thee in the roughest ways of obedience, in the bloody paths even of death; so we may but at last overtake thee on those high steps of immortality and glory!

Among those millions of angels who attended this triumphant ascension of our Lord, some are appointed to the lower station of comforting his astonished disciples, in the certain hope of his no less glorious return; Acts 1:10; Acts 1:21. Two men stood by them in white apparel. They stood by them,—they were not of them: though angels, they seemed men: two, for more certainty of testimony; in white for joy of their Lord's ascension.

Their errand was calculated for a purpose of consolation and love: they stand not silent, therefore, but, directing their speech to the amazed beholders, say, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? What a question was this? Why, O ye blessed angels, did they gaze, but that their love of Christ constrained them? Never could they have gazed so happily as now. If but some great man be advanced to honour over our heads, how apt are we to gaze up, and to eye him as some strange meteor! Let the sun but shine a little upon these transient dials, and how are they looked at by every passenger!—How much more worthy then is the king of glory to command all eyes, now in the higher pitch of his heavenly exaltation, as mediatorial king!

But it was not the purpose of these angels to check the longing looks of these faithful disciples after their ascended Master: it was only a change of eyes that they intended, of carnal for spiritual; of the eye of sense for the eye of faith: This same Jesus who is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come, in like manner, as ye have seen him go into heaven.

"Look not after him, O ye weak disciples, as so departed that ye shall see him no more; though gone, he is not lost; those heavens which received, shall again restore him;—ye have seen him ascend upon the chariot of a bright cloud; and ye shall see him descend again to his last judgment. He is gone; but can it trouble you to know that you have an advocate in heaven? Strive not now so much to exercise your bodily eyes in looking after him, as the eyes of your souls in looking unto him, and looking for him. If it be your sorrow to part with your Saviour; yet to part with him entering into heaven, should be your comfort and felicity; for if his absence could be grievous, his return shall be happy and glorious."

Even so, Lord Jesus, come quickly! In the mean time, while it is not heaven that can keep thee from us, it is not earth which can keep us from thee. O raise thou up our souls to a life of faith with thee; and let us ever enjoy thy conversation, while we ardently expect and wait for thy return!

REFLECTIONS.—1st, The sabbath being ended, the good women who had prepared the spices to embalm the body, were early up to visit the sepulchre; but, to their surprize, found the stone rolled away from the door: and, to increase their perplexity, on entering the sepulchre, they found not the body. Whereupon we are told,

1. The glorious vision which appeared to them, of two angels, whose presence at first greatly terrified them: and with deep respect they bowed their faces to the ground; but these heavenly messengers soon relieved them from their distress, with words of kindest consolation, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen; Jesus, your Master, is no longer the prisoner of the grave; he lives, for ever lives, the conqueror of all his foes; remember how he spake unto you, when he was yet in Galilee; it need not have surprised them, when he had so repeatedly foretold the sufferings and death that he must undergo from the hands of wicked men, and his resurrection which would follow; and on being reminded of this they remembered the prediction which the angel mentioned. Note; We are strangely forgetful of the good things which Jesus has spoken, and need to have our memories often refreshed, that we may not let them slip.

2. The haste that the women made to apprize the apostles, and the rest of the disciples, of what they had seen and heard. But, though the fact was asserted by the women, so slow of heart were they to believe, that they treated the report as idle tales, and believed them not; they imputed it to the power of imagination, and were so sunk in despair, and so inapprehensive of Christ's resurrection, that they seem to have had hardly any expectation of it, or remembrance of the assurances concerning his rising again, which he had so repeatedly given them.

3. Peter, roused by the report, resolved however to see for himself, and ran immediately to the sepulchre; and stooping down, saw the grave clothes regularly folded up, and laid separate, but the body gone; whereupon he departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass. Having very little, if any expectation of his Master's resurrection, he could not account for these strange circumstances. Had he perfectly remembered the words of Jesus, his wonder must have ceased.

2nd, The passage recorded in Luke 24:13 is mentioned by St. Mark, but is here more at large related. We have,

1. The discourse of two of the disciples as they walked to a village called Emmaus, about seven or eight miles from Jerusalem. Their business to that place we are not told. But as they went, the melancholy events which had passed, were the subject of their conversation; together with the report which the women had spread of the resurrection of their Lord, on the probability of which they might be reasoning. Note; Godly conversation makes a journey very pleasing.

2. An unknown stranger, to appearance, joins them on the road as they were in deep discourse; and walking with them, kindly inquires what caused their melancholy looks and earnest conversation. They little thought who now was of their company. Note; (1.) Where two of Christ's disciples meet to talk about the things which appertain to his kingdom and glory, he will be in the midst of them, instructing and comforting them. (2.) When we are sad and dejected, the converse of a gracious friend serves to alleviate our sorrows: and where we are fellow-mourners, by comparing our cases, we should seek to be mutual comforters.

3. In answer to his question, Cleopas replied, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? The city had rung of the horrid execution of Jesus; and Cleopas presumes that no man who came thence, could possibly be unacquainted with the transactions which had passed on that occasion.

4. When Christ, by only proposing a question, still pretended ignorance of the things to which Cleopas alluded, in order to draw on farther discourse in answer to his question—Cleopas succinctly relates the past and present state of the affair. He begins with an account of his dear Lord and Master Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet, a teacher come from God, who confirmed his divine mission by the heavenly doctrine that he taught, and the miracles he wrought; was evidently approved of the Most High, who endued him with such mighty powers, and bore witness to him from heaven; and was for a while greatly caressed and admired by the people; who in crowds attended his ministry. Him, at the instigation of the chief priests and rulers, the Roman governor had crucified, though confessedly innocent; the remembrance of which grievous scene deeply afflicted them: especially as they acknowledge themselves his disciples, and own their late sanguine hopes, that this had been be who should have redeemed Israel; the promised Messiah, the great prophet whom Moses had bid them expect. But, alas! their hopes were now almost buried in their Master's grave: it was true, indeed, he talked about rising on the third day, which was now drawing to a period, and certain strange reports had been spread by some women of their company, who had been that morning at the sepulchre to look after the body, and had astonished them with an account of having seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive; but they gave little credit to the report. Some of their men, however, hereupon ran to the tomb, and found the body gone, as the women had said, but saw nothing of the angels, or their Master, which rendered the matter very suspicious, and made them suppose the women mistaken; since if he was really arisen, they could not but conclude that he would rather have notified it to his apostles than to them; so that on the whole they were deeply dejected, and scarcely entertained the least prospect of ever seeing him again.

5. The unknown traveller hereupon took up the discourse. He begins with a just rebuke of their folly and unbelief; O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Had ye duly reflected upon the prophetic writings, you might as soon have entertained suspicions about the rising of the sun, as the resurrection of Jesus: for ought not Christ to have suffered these things, according to the express declarations of his prophets, and for the honour of the divine justice, and to enter into his glory, the reward of his sufferings and death? So far, therefore, from harbouring doubts because of these things, that he could not be the Messiah, nor would ever rise again, they should have considered what he endured as absolutely a proof of the reality of the character that he assumed; and should have been encouraged to the fullest confidence, that as they had beheld his humiliation on the cross, they should also see his exaltation to the mediatorial throne. Then beginning from the books of Moses, he proceeded through the prophets, expounding to them the types and prophesies which related to himself, and spoke of his sufferings, and the glory which should follow. Note; The Old Testament, as well as the New, is full of Christ. We never understand Moses and the prophets aright, unless we see Christ as the great object which they continually hold forth to us.

6. At last Christ discovers himself unto them. Drawing nigh to Emmaus, he made as if he would have parted company and passed on farther; but they were too much charmed with his discourse to let him go, and therefore, as the evening was advanced, they pressed him to stay: and at their importunate request he went in with them. And sitting down at table, with authority, as the Master of the house, he took bread, according to his usual manner; and asking the divine benediction, brake and gave to them. Immediately their eyes were opened; they looked up, and discovered the well-known features of their crucified Master; when instantly he became invisible and withdrew, leaving them to reflect on what they had seen and heard. Note; (1.) They who wish for Christ's company, must solicit the favour; he loves the importunity of prayer. (2.) If we have tasted the satisfaction of communion with Jesus, like the spouse we shall hold him fast in the arms of faith and love, and desire never to let him go. (3.) Our meals must be sanctified by prayer and thanksgiving, and then they will serve to minister food to our souls as well as our bodies. (4.) In the ways of his ordinances, the Lord opens the eyes of our faith, and enables us to behold his glory; he has often, since this, made himself known to his people in the breaking of bread at his table.

7. The disciples could not help hereupon reflecting on the lively impressions which the discourse of Jesus had made upon them in the way. On comparing, they found that both their hearts had glowed with holy fervour as he spoke; such irradiation darted on their minds, while he opened to them the Scripture; such life and energy accompanied his discourse, that they cannot but wonder at their own stupidity, not to have discovered him before; since none could have taught them with such demonstration of the Spirit and power, but he who spake like as never man spake before. Note; Nothing can warm the heart of the penitent like the preaching of a crucified Jesus; and his delightful name should always make a principal part of our discourses.

8. They immediately resolved to return, and carry the glad tidings to their brethren at Jerusalem. Not a moment was to be lost; they judged, by what themselves had felt, how melancholy and distressed their fellow-disciples were; and now they could bring them news that would warm their hearts, as it had fired their own. Accordingly, though it was evening, they hasted back, and found opportunely the apostles assembled with the rest of the faithful; who, before they had power to speak, eagerly prevented them, saying, the Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon; so that it is not a report merely, but a certain fact. The two disciples then corroborated the evidence with what had passed in the way, and the discovery which Jesus had made of himself to them, in breaking of bread, when they sat down together to take some refreshment. Note; (1.) The gracious experiences which the Saviour gives us of his love, we should delight to communicate for the comfort and encouragement of our brethren. (2.) Nothing serves more to confirm the faith, and enliven the hopes of real Christians, than comparing their observations, and the dealings of God with their souls. As iron sharpeneth iron, so does such gracious communication mutually quicken and strengthen the heart.

3rdly, The appearance of Jesus recorded in ver; 36-49 is his fifth appearance on the same day that he arose. First he was seen by Mary, John 20:14. Then by the women, Matthew 28:9. By Peter alone, 1 Corinthians 15:5. By the two disciples; and now by all who were assembled together.

1. He suddenly appeared in the midst of them, while they were talking over this glorious event, the resurrection of their Lord; and, with most encouraging words of consolation, wishes them all peace and happiness. He mentions not one upbraiding word of their perfidy in forsaking him; of Peter's profaneness and perjury in denying him; they had turned again, and he had sealed their pardon; the past, therefore, is not only forgiven, but forgotten, and he is come to assure them of his love.
2. They were terrified and affrighted at his presence, and supposed at first that it was an apparition, or a spirit, that had assumed the form of Jesus. So surprized were they, that they seem to have forgotten the proofs of his resurrection for a moment, on which they had been just discoursing.
3. He soon convinced them of the groundlessness of their fears, and of their folly to be startled at his appearance; which should have been their greater joy, Why are ye troubled, and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Note; We often cause ourselves needless disquiet, brooding over melancholy apprehensions, when perhaps the very distress that we feel is a symptom for good; as the deep convictions of sin shew that the Spirit of God is at work with our hearts, and that they will shortly issue in peace and joy, if we believe. To remove, therefore, their doubts,

[1.] He bids them examine him, and gain the fullest evidence to their senses. There were his hands and his feet, where still the scars of the nails remained; those glorious fears which were the consequences of his victorious conflict with the powers of darkness, their enemies, and his: handle me and see, satisfy yourselves fully in the certainty of my resurrection, and the identity of my body; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have, but is incorporeal, though it may appear under the resemblance of a human form. Accordingly he shewed his hands, his feet, his side, that they might have the fullest conviction of his being the same Jesus; for bearing testimony to whose resurrection, they would afterwards be exposed to the most furious persecutions; and therefore it was needful that their own assurance of the fact should be put beyond a doubt.

[2.] He eats and drinks with them, to prove most fully to them that he had really a living body like their own. The astonishment that they were in, and the inexpressible joy they felt, quite overcame them; they were ready to believe, that what they saw and heard was too great and too good news to be true, and could hardly yet credit the testimony of their own senses. To give them time to recover from this extacy, and to confirm their faith, he sat down with them, and ate in their presence some broiled fish and a piece of a honeycomb, which they gave him: so that hereby they might be assured he was no spectre.
[3.] He not only gave this conviction to their senses, but poured a flood of divine light upon their souls. He refers them to his former discourses with them, concerning the things written in the law, the prophets, and psalms, relative to his sufferings and glory; and by the powerful operations of his spirit he wonderfully brought to their memory all that he had spoken before; and opened the intent and meaning of the Scriptures to their hearts with such evidence, clearness, and certainty, that they perceived the full accomplishment of all in him. Note; (1.) Our understandings are darkened, till Christ shines upon us as the sun of righteousness. (2.) The most enlightened mind has daily need to cry, open thou mine eyes. (3.) The way in which Christ teaches, is in and by the Scriptures; we must look for no wisdom unto salvation out of the written word, or what is clearly grounded thereupon. Though, (4.) The plainest truths of God's revealed will are never to be spiritually discerned, till the Holy Ghost guides us into the spiritual sense and meaning of them.

[4.] He gives them instructions for the work in which they were now about to be employed. (1.) They were to be witnesses of his death and resurrection, proving from the Scriptures the predictions concerning both, which were now accomplished in him; in consequence whereof, repentance and remission of sins must be preached by them in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem; he being exalted at the right hand of God, in consequence of his sufferings, to bestow those inestimable blessings on as many as believed in his name; not of the Jews only, but of the Gentiles also: and nothing could so powerfully influence and engage the hearts of sinners to return to God, as this free and full salvation preached to them in his name. They must begin at Jerusalem, which had been the chief scene of his life and sufferings; the oracles of God, to which they appealed, were in the hands of the Jews; there the facts were transacted, to the truth of which they might most confidently appeal; and there his murderers dwelt, who most especially needed to be called to repentance; and to many of whom, returning to him with genuine contrition, he would signalize the riches of his grace, in pardoning and saving them. The gospel is grace abounding to the chief of sinners. (2.) He bids them wait a while at Jerusalem, and in a few days he would pour out upon them the Spirit from on high, which he had promised them, to qualify them for their arduous undertaking, and strengthen them in the discharge of it. His kingdom was to be established, not by human endeavours, but by divine energy; therefore the instruments were poor weak illiterate fishermen, and this the more magnified the effectual working of that mighty power which appeared in them. They were endued with such wisdom as none of their adversaries could resist; with such courage as no danger could dismay; with such miraculous powers as evidently spoke the finger of God; and were blessed with such amazing success, that, in spite of all opposition, they were enabled to lay the foundations of the glorious gospel church, which he died and rose to establish.

4thly, We have the account of the ascension of Jesus into heaven, after he had forty days conversed with his disciples after his resurrection.
1. He gives them his parting benediction. He led them out as far as to Bethany, whence he had made his triumphant entry into Jerusalem some few days before his death. And lifting up his hands, as the great High-Priest, Leviticus 9:22 he pronounced a blessing upon them.

2. He was parted from them just as he had finished his benediction, as Elijah from Elisha, and carried up into heaven; either by the ministry of angels or by his own divine power; making his triumphant entry into the glorious courts above, and sitting down on the mediatorial throne prepared for him as the reward of his sufferings. Note; Though dearest friends must now part, yet, if faithful, we shall follow Jesus to that kingdom where we shall part no more.

3. The disciples bowed down in adoration before him, and worshipped him as the very God, who, though in his human nature removed out of sight, yet filled heaven and earth with his presence. Note; The incarnate Jesus justly claims the worship and service of all his faithful followers.

4. They returned to Jerusalem with great joy. Their sorrows now were banished; bright hope and burning love possessed every bosom, and they waited confidently expecting the fulfilment of the promise which their Lord had given them; and were continually in the temple, at the stated hours of worship, praising and blessing God, joining the temple-songs, and offering their joyful acknowledgments for all the wondrous mercies they had received, and for the promises of greater yet in store for them. Amen: may we in our blessing and praises seek to emulate these happy disciples, till we come to join the songs of eternity; and in the better temple, among the blessed, day and night for ever celebrate redeeming love.