Receiving Christ’s Priestly Benediction: A Biblical, Historical, And Theological Exploration Of Luke 24:50–53 -- By: Kelly M. Kapic

Journal: Westminster Theological Journal
Volume: WTJ 67:2 (Fall 2005)
Article: Receiving Christ’s Priestly Benediction: A Biblical, Historical, And Theological Exploration Of Luke 24:50–53
Author: Kelly M. Kapic


Receiving Christ’s Priestly Benediction:
A Biblical, Historical, And Theological Exploration
Of Luke 24:50–53

Kelly M. Kapic

Kelly M. Kapic is Associate Professor of Theological Studies at Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Ga.

Today is Ascension Day, and that means that it is a day of great joy for all who can believe that Christ rules the world and our lives. —Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Letters and Papers from Prison

I. Introduction

What does it mean to be blessed by God? Numerous responses could be given to this vague question, and many such answers inevitably end up with a problematic view of a “theology of blessing,” which more accurately reflects American prosperity than biblical realism. Nevertheless, the language of “blessing” is biblical. The restrictive manner in which I want to investigate this idea is by exploring the ascension of Christ, which, it will be argued, provides a basis for understanding the blessing of Christ given in the form of a priestly benediction.

Beginning our investigation by narrowly focusing on Luke’s particular understanding of the relationship between Christ and blessing, special attention will be given to Jesus’ ascension found in Luke 24:50–53. In this brief biblical exploration we will compare Luke’s imagery with (1) relevant background material and (2) a few indications of how this idea is taken up and developed in the NT, especially in Acts. After outlining the basic biblical foundation for the connection between benediction and ascension, we will give some examples of how these ideas have been used historically to inform a theological understanding of Christ’s presence in the church, as well as an understanding of the atonement. This latter discussion will draw from the witness of some early Fathers, Calvin, and a few Puritans as examples of how earlier generations made these surprising connections.

II. Receiving Christ’s Benediction: Some Biblical Background

While some commentators have argued that in the NT the idea of blessing is relatively minor in comparison with the OT, such an evaluation can be overstated. There is little question, for example, that Luke’s Gospel makes extensive use of the idea of blessing/benediction: various forms of εὐλογέω (I bless) are

found in Luke 1:42, 68–69; 2:28–32, and other places, and in various ways the writer seems to be highlighting important OT language...

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