The Gospel of Luke recounts the last appearance of Jesus to his disciples after his resurrection and before his ascension to heaven. Jesus' mission in the world had ended, but some things remained unfinished. Before this appearance, Jesus had appeared to two disciples walking towards the village of Emmaus, and there he explained to them, without their recognizing him, that the Messiah had to suffer to enter into glory.
But in this last appearance, Jesus had to prove that he was the same, in the face of his disciples' skepticism; this is why Jesus told them: "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have" Luke 24:38-39.
And with this, the disciples finally understood that Jesus had to return to the Father, and they were filled with joy. Jesus had proven to his disciples with this that he is God who becomes "Son of Man", that is, that he is the personification of the divine perfections. But Jesus wanted to tell them something more: the Holy Spirit had to come with his gifts to transform them spiritually. With his ascension to heaven, the times of the Son ended, and the times of the Holy Spirit had to begin as teacher of the future Church that would be born at Pentecost.
But the disciples still did not fully understand this. This is why Jesus repeated to them what he had told them at the last supper: "I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high" Luke 24:49.
A new time had to begin, and the disciples would have to face new problems, but this time with the assistance of the Holy Spirit, the spirit of wisdom and knowledge. With this spiritual promise, the disciples were to become guided, enlightened, and inspired people. The Gospel of Luke finally says that Jesus went with the disciples near Bethany, where he said goodbye to them and blessed them, and was taken up into heaven.
For more information, check out my profile, follow the link, and download my ebook.