Hands of blessing - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven.
Luke 24:50–51

Hands of blessing
The Lord Jesus Christ was condemned to death in Jerusalem. Outside that city, He suffered and died on the cross. After His resurrection, He led His followers out of Jerusalem. In doing so, He separated them from Judaism and made them strangers in the world. The exhortation in Hebrews 13:13 still applies today: “Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach.” When we thus separate ourselves from the world, we meet the Lord. We share in His reproach and enjoy His presence at the same time.

The Lord Jesus left the disciples with hands of blessing to ascend into heaven. Although He did not stay with them, they remained under His blessing, which now took on a heavenly character. The Apostle Paul explains it in Ephesians 1:3: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” This blessing comprises everything that is given to us as Christians.

The Lord was carried up into heaven to be the point of attraction and goal of believers. Thereby, He made them pilgrims. Hebrews 13:14 confirms this: “For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come.” Therefore, we do not wander aimlessly, but with swift and sure steps we move towards our heavenly home.

Today’s reading: Jeremiah 43:1-13 · Romans 11:1-10