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When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God (Luke 24:50-53).

Luke ends his gospel in the place where it began: in the temple. God\u2019s people are at worship. But much has changed. Its now a people gathered in Jesus\u2019 name. Throughout the gospel accounts, the disciples cannot figure out who Jesus is, neither can they accept what he says. But now, in this simple statement, \u201cthey worshipped him\u201d, Luke tells us that all doubt and confusion is gone. Jews only worship God and these disciples are still Jews. Now they know, Jesus is their God, and so they worship him.

Their master has commissioned them as his witnesses and to carry on his ministry. The last image the disciples have of Jesus is his arms lifted over them in blessing. From heaven, Jesus continues to bless and send out his people. He returned to heaven to carry on his ministry from there. But now he will do so through his disciples.

As Zechariah and Mary began the gospel by responding to God with joy, we find the disciples doing likewise as Luke concludes his story. Worship of the living God, revealed in Jesus of Nazareth, is at the heart of Luke\u2019s vision of the Christian life. Their hearts are filled with joy because they know that God is on the move. His redemption is being worked out.

In the beginning, Mary said, \u201cMy soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me\u2014holy is his name\u201d (Luke 1:46-49). The disciples have discovered that this is true for each of them. So, they worship at the temple.

\u2018The temple\u2019 is the place where God meets his people. This gospel opened there with Zechariah, at the heart of the Jewish faith. In those days, that was the place where Israel went to meet their God. Part of Luke\u2019s story has been to show that a new way has been opened for us to be united with God. There is a new temple.

The temple building, doomed to destruction, has been replaced by the community of Jesus\u2019s people gathered. Henceforth, it is they who \u2018are God\u2019s temple\u2019. Among them God meets with them. Is it possible that we have put too much emphasis on the individual aspect of our faith, personal devotions? Is it possible that we have underestimated the communal gathering of the faithful? Is that one of the things we have learned during this pandemic?

Christians need each other. Yes, God meets us in the \u2018prayer closet\u2019, but together we are the temple of God.

At the end of Luke\u2019s gospel two things seem important: that Jesus sends us, his people, into the world to tell his story and that we gather to worship him. In worship, we humble ourselves as we exalt our Lord, we encourage each other in our commitment to and passion for our Saviour, we submit ourselves to his Word, and we respond by giving ourselves to him with joy.

The gospel is the message of joy. \u201cDo not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people\u201d (Luke 2:10), the angel told the shepherds. Joy can\u2019t be contained. It must be shared. We have the good news. We have been redeemed. Let\u2019s share this with each other and the world.