Verse 52. They worshipped him] Let it be observed that this worship was not given by way of civil respect, for it was after he was parted from them, and carried back into heaven, that they offered it to him; but acts of civil respect are always performed in the presence of the person. They adored him as their God, and were certainly too much enlightened to be capable of any species of idolatry.
Returned to Jerusalem with great joy] Having the fullest proof that Jesus was the promisedMessiah; and that they had a full commission to preach repentance and remission of sin to mankind, and that they should be Divinely qualified for this great work by receiving the promise of the Father, ver. 49.
Ver. 52. And they worshipped him , etc.] Not with a civil worship, as he was sometimes worshipped by men, in the days of his flesh, who, though they took him for some extraordinary person, knew him not to be the Son of God; but with religious worship as God: for by his resurrection from the dead, Christ was declared to be the Son of God, and both by that, and by his going to his Father, his ascension to heaven, the disciples were more confirmed in his proper deity, and divine sonship; and therefore worshipped him as God; by calling upon his name, ascribing blessings and honour, and glory, to him; by making him the object of their reverence and fear; and by trusting in him; and by doing every religious act in his name, and which they ever after continued to do: and returned to Jerusalem : as they were ordered, where they were to tarry and wait for the pouring down of the Spirit: and this they did with great joy ; for though their Lord was parted from them, and was gone to heaven, this did not cause sorrow, as did his death, but, on the contrary, joy, even great joy; partly because of the glory he was entered into, and possessed of; and partly on account of what he was gone to do for them; to appear in the presence of God for them, to make intercession for them, to take possession of heaven in their name, and to prepare a place for them, as well as to receive gifts for them; and now they return to Jerusalem with great cheerfulness, in full hope and expectation, yea, assurance of faith, that they should shortly receive the promise of the Father.
Verses 50-53 - Christ ascended from Bethany, near the Mount of Olives. There was the garden in which his sufferings began; there he was in his agony. Thos that would go to heaven, must ascend thither from the house of sufferings and sorrows. The disciples did not see him rise out of the grave; his resurrection could be proved by their seeing him aliv afterwards: but they saw him ascend into heaven; they could no otherwise have a proof of his ascension. He lifted up his hands, an blessed them. He did not go away in displeasure, but in love, he left blessing behind him. As he arose, so he ascended, by his own power They worshipped him. This fresh display of Christ's glory drew from them fresh acknowledgments. They returned to Jerusalem with great joy The glory of Christ is the joy of all true believers, even while the are here in this world. While waiting for God's promises, we must go forth to meet them with our praises. And nothing better prepares the mind for receiving the Holy Ghost. Fears are silenced, sorrow sweetened and allayed, and hopes kept up. And this is the ground of Christian's boldness at the throne of grace; yea, the Father's thron is the throne of grace to us, because it is also the throne of ou Mediator, JesusChrist. Let us rely on his promises, and plead them Let us attend his ordinances, praise and blessGod for his mercies, se our affections on things above, and expect the Redeemer's return to complete our happiness. Amen. Even so, LordJesus, come quickly __________________________________________________________________