Our Lord Jesus, after His death and resurrection, left this earth with His hands uplifted in blessing upon His own, “for Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us,” where “He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Our Lord’s high priestly prayer on the night before the cross gives us a picture of His present intercession by which His own are continually blessed. He said, “I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which Thou hast given Me; for they are Thine. … Holy Father, keep through Thine own name those whom Thou hast given Me, that they may be one, as We are. … I pray not that Thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that Thou shouldest keep them from the evil.” So now, up in heaven, He continually blesses us. “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: the Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: the Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.” |