Ascended On High

May continues the season of Eastertide, and 40 days after Easter comes Ascension Day.  It may seem crazy to call it Eastertide when Easter is clearly over! - but these are the 40 days during which the Risen Christ appeared again and again to his disciples, following his death and resurrection. 

The Gospels give us little of Christ’s teachings and deeds during those forty days.  Jesus was seen by numerous disciples: on the road to Emmaus, by the Sea of Galilee, in houses, etc.  He strengthened and encouraged his disciples, and at last opened their eyes to all that the Scriptures had promised about the Messiah.  Jesus also told them that as the Father had sent him, he was now going to send them - to all corners of the earth, as his witnesses.

And then he left them.   Luke records the story with great poignancy:  “When Jesus had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands - and blessed them.” 

As Christmas began the story of Jesus’ life on earth, so Ascension Day completes it, with his return to his Father in heaven.   Jesus’ last act on earth was to bless his disciples.  He and they had a bond as close as could be:  they had just lived through three tumultuous years of public ministry and miracles – persecution and death – and resurrection! 

Just as we part from our nearest and dearest by still looking at them with love and memories in our eyes, so exactly did Jesus:  “While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.”   He was not forsaking them, but merely going on ahead to a kingdom which would also be theirs one day:  “I am ascending to my Father and to your Father, to my God and your God...”

The East window in St. Peter's Church shows Jesus ascended to the right hand of God the Father, where he reigns in glory.  It's an amazing and awe inspiring stained glass window that is worth pondering. 

And the Disciples knew they would see Jesus again one day!  “I am going to prepare a place for you... I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”  One day we will share that glory – but in the meantime, Jesus had work for us to do: to take the blessing of Jesus Christ to all people, showing them Jesus’ love in action in what we do and say.