Jesus said, “I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” 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 24:49-51
This is the Gospel account of the ascension of Jesus, which is celebrated in Christian tradition late in the Easter season. I find meaning in this story in that Jesus’ blessing happens in the midst of his letting go of the very ones he loves – his friends who seek to know and honor God through their lives.
The truth is, Jesus blessed people from all walks of life. He blessed the sick, the young, the hungry, the forgotten, the stranger, the oppressed, and the vulnerable of this world.
Jesus blessed the earth and all it creatures by living into the fullness of the Creator God, the One who knows when even a tiny sparrow falls to the earth.
Jesus blessed the Samaritan, the Jew, and the Gentile. Jesus blessed male and female, young and old, poor and rich.
Isn’t it strange that the Christian faith has so often been used to draw lines between the ones who are “In” and the ones who are “Out?”
Isn’t it strange that Jesus’ life was all about showing people the way to God, and yet so many people use Jesus as an excuse to tell others where they are going wrong?
Jesus blessed “the least of these,” our sisters and brothers. He didn’t ask qualifying questions first, like, what church do you attend, or what are your political views, or do you abide by all the commandments. He didn’t ask about income, education, marital status, or sexuality.
Jesus spread God’s blessing around like there was no tomorrow! He brought healing to broken bodies. He offered forgiveness to dispirited people. He fed the hungry, prayed for the sick and dying, and demonstrated through his very life that God loves us and wants to create God’s Realm within us and through us!
Wouldn’t it be great if people of all faiths embraced the universality of God’s blessing?
Wouldn’t it be great if we understood that God’s blessing is not restricted to any one spiritual path or religion, and that God is God and we are not?
Wouldn’t it be great if our first thought each morning was to imagine where God was calling us to be a blessing through our words and deeds that day?
Then we would see the beginnings of the peaceful Reigning of God on earth!
Words (c) 2012 Mark Lloyd Richardson
dreamprayact 
“Wouldn’t it be great if our first thought each morning was to imagine where God was calling us to be a blessing through our words and deeds that day?”
Yes, indeed!
Thanks for your affirmation, Laurie.
Well said. There was a time when I adhered to the exclusivity approach of Christianity but in recent years am learning that God’s blessing is universal rather than specific to just the chosen. Thank you for your insightful post.
For me it all begins in the beginning when God looks out over all creation and calls it good! In spite of the failures of humankind throughout history to live as God intends, God remains eager to bless us with life, hope, forgiveness, and new beginnings. For our part, we need to be open to receiving God’s blessing and being instruments of God’s blessing by seeking to be aligned to the divine aims for our lives. Peace, Mark
Awesome! I love the imagery of God calling creation “good” and that we need to be open to and aligned with God’s leading. You have a gift with words and inspiration. Peace be with you! Merlin
Well, as one wordsmith to another, thanks for your affirmation. You too have a God-given gift and are using it well! Peace, Mark
Thankyou for following my blog. Be the Blessing is so beautiful and encouraging. Thankyou for reminding us in this daily offering we may make.
Thank you, Stephanie. I enjoy reading your blog too. Peace, Mark
This post of yours is outstanding! First of all, the book of Luke is a favorite, and as I read on my heart was lifted higher and higher. ‘He didn’t ask qualifying questions first’ is profound. I love it! When I think about WWJD it’s easy to remember how forgiving and accepting He was. Warmest gratitude for this uplifting and inspiring post.
Luke is my favorite of the four gospels, I think because Jesus’ compassion and unconditional love come through most clearly there. Thanks for your find words, as always. Peace, Mark
You have distilled and declared the essence of Jesus’ message as I understand it. forgive, love, bless. In doing so, we fulfill our divine purpose and commune with God and all God’s creation. This is the Buddha’s message too. Beautiful sermon. What a wonderful way to wake up to the day. Thank you, friend.
Angela, thanks for your kind words. I agree that the Buddha and Jesus have very similar messages about how we are to live. Remembering our divine purpose in the rush of life’s demands is what challenges most people, I think. I am grateful for your friendship here. Peace, Mark
Dear Mark, I was so excited reading this because I had just been thinking the exact same thoughts that Jesus said “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (NIV, John 13:34-35).
There was no qualifiers to that statement but to love one another. And yet how very strange when the essence of His teachings is forgotten and religion is made to become a means of division. I too believe that the Kingdom of God on earth is when humanity learn to live in peace and unity is achieved when we consider the world and all its inhabitants members of our own family.
“God has not created men that they should destroy one another. All races, tribes, sects and classes share equally in the Bounty of their Heavenly Father…The lovers of mankind, these are the superior men, of whatever nation, creed or colour they may be. For it is they to whom God will say these blessed words, ‘Well done, My good and faithful servants.’ ~ Abdu’l-Bahá
Thank you for being a lover of all mankind and for striving to achieve this unity through your work. Sharon
Sharon,
Please accept my apologies for not seeing your comment before now. My only excuse is that I was on vacation, and some things apparently slipped by me.
You have given such a thoughtful comment here connecting the teachings of Jesus with other spiritual teachings, and showing that God’s concern is for the whole human family.
Thanks for being such a positive light and for sharing your insights here.
Peace, Mark
As long as we all live our faith…all will be well…all will be well. Thanks for this post. Merrill
Merrill, Thanks for visiting my blog, and for your kind words. Peace, Mark
Yes, wouldn’t it be great? And we can start with ourselves, can’t we? 2John 3:11 “You have been told from the beginning, love one another.” All others – – – not just the ones who love you back. Thanks for the post and for visiting my blog, Mark. I look forward to browsing yours and becoming better acquainted. Keep on writing!!
Thanks, Jan, for your affirming comment. I am glad to have found your blog too. Peace, Mark
Thank you. You restore my hope, my faith. How soon were you planning to move to my area, and start preaching? Lol. Thank you for your encouragement on my blog. Please, keep writing. Messages of hope travel great distances.