Jesus Opens Their Eyes – The Promise and the Power (Luke 24:44-53)
After Jesus rose from the dead, He spent time with His disciples to help them understand everything that had happened. In Luke 24:44–53, we read about one of His final moments with them before He returned to heaven. It’s a powerful reminder that Jesus keeps His promises and gives us what we need to share His message with the world.
Jesus Explains the Scriptures
Jesus told His disciples, “Everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” These were parts of the Old Testament that pointed to the coming of the Messiah—Jesus Himself.
Then something amazing happened:
He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.
The disciples had heard these words before, but now they truly understood what they meant. Jesus explained that it was always God’s plan for the Messiah to suffer, die, and rise again on the third day. And now, forgiveness of sins would be preached to all nations—starting right there in Jerusalem.
You Are Witnesses
Jesus said, “You are witnesses of these things.”
In other words, “You’ve seen it all—now go and tell others.”
But He also knew they couldn’t do it on their own. So He gave them a promise.
Wait for the Power
Jesus told them to stay in the city until they were “clothed with power from on high.” That power was the Holy Spirit, whom God would send to give them strength, courage, and wisdom. They wouldn’t be alone in this mission.
This was a key moment: Jesus was preparing them to continue His work on earth, but not in their own strength—they would be filled with God’s power.
The Blessing and the Goodbye
Then Jesus led them out to a place near Bethany. He lifted His hands, blessed them, and while He was blessing them, He was taken up into heaven.
Imagine that—Jesus rising into the sky as He blessed them!
But the disciples weren’t sad. The Bible says they worshiped Him, went back to Jerusalem with great joy, and stayed in the temple praising God.
What This Means for Us
Jesus didn’t just give His followers a task—He gave them understanding, forgiveness, a mission, and power. And He still offers those same things to us today.
We may not have seen Him with our eyes, but we have His words and His Spirit. Like the disciples, we are called to share His love and message with others.
And the best part? We don’t have to do it alone.
Jesus keeps His promises, and He gives us everything we need.
Luke 24:44-53 (WEB)
24:44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you, that all things which are written in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms concerning me must be fulfilled.”45 Then he opened their minds, that they might understand the Scriptures. 46 He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 Behold, I send out the promise of my Father on you. But wait in the city of Jerusalem until you are clothed with power from on high.”50 He led them out as far as Bethany, and he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he blessed them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. 52 They worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.