Luke 24:50-53 - A Blessing For Doubters

It's always instructive to find different Bible passages that deal with the same event or same concept, but from different perspectives.

In Matthew's Gospel, it says the disciples gathered just before Jesus' ascension back to heaven, and "When they saw him, they worshiped him--but some doubted!" (See Matthew 28:17 - Great Commission of Doubters) Maybe some worshiped Jesus, even while they had doubts, but Matthew seems to set them apart from those who worshiped Jesus.

Here's what Luke records of the event:
“50 Then Jesus led them to Bethany, and lifting his hands to heaven, he blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up to heaven. 52 So they worshiped him and then returned to Jerusalem filled with great joy. 53 And they spent all of their time in the Temple, praising God.” (Luke 24:50–53, New Living Translation, 2015)

It seems like the disappearance of Jesus would multiply the doubts anyone was having. The physical "proof" of the resurrection had just vanished. Instead, Luke records that the doubters joined in worshipping Jesus after he left, and they were filled with great joy instead of doubt. 

What happened that triggered this change, that turned their doubting to worship?

Perhaps the Ascension itself reminded them of Jesus earlier words,
“28 Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am. 29 I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe.” John 14:28–29 (NLT) 

Maybe they remembered that Jesus was going to heaven "to prepare a place" for them. (John 14:1-3)

What Luke does emphasize is that Jesus blessed them. The actual blessing is found in the final line of Matthew's gospel:
“And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20, NLT)

This blessing articulated reality: that Jesus presence was filling their hearts and minds even as He spoke the words. (...and even before Pentecost: Jn 16:7; Ac 2:4; Heb 13:5-6)

Lord Jesus,
It's easy to feel isolated, to wonder where You are when life is in turmoil. As You lift up Your hands to bless us, assure our hearts of Your unshakeable presence, the presence of Emmanuel, God with us. Amen.