In a few weeks, the church will mark the Festival of the Ascension. But not very well. Some have transferred this festival, which is supposed to occur 40 days after Easter (a Thursday), to the following Sunday. Sometimes it is swallowed up in the whirlwind of springtime soccer, baseball and planting. In many places, it is simply forgotten.
Whether you’re celebrating the Ascension of Jesus or not, here are some reflections:
1. The Ascension is terrifying. Better: The ten days between Jesus’ Ascension into heaven and the giving of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost must have been terrifying for the early church, precisely because they did not know how long it would be before the promised Advocate would be given.
2. The Ascension is hopeful. It is the crucified and risen Jesus who ascends to the Father and therefore our flesh is now interior to the life of God. The Ascension is the completion of Christ’s work and shows that Jesus is completely committed to our redemption.
3. The Ascension is eschatological. As Jesus ascends into heaven, we are told he will return in the same way. He will come again in this way. But here’s the twist… instead of bringing us up to heaven, he will come back to earth. There will be a new heaven and a new earth (Revelation) and the firmament established in Genesis between the “things above” and the “things below” will finally be removed and Christ will be “all in all” (Colossians).
So on May 14 this year: Happy Christi Himmelfahrt, as they say in German (Christ’s heavenly ride)!