Reflection on the Ascension of Our Lord

Yesterday, Thursday 12th was Ascension Thursday, 40 days since Easter, 10 days before Pentecost and marking the official end of the Easter Season. 

Ascension can be seen like an obscure feast day in many ways. What exactly happened? We are told .... 

 "While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven."  Luke 24:51

But what does it mean...? It's really not that clear and over the centuries it has resulted in some, well perhaps, rather amusing paintings of a group of people watching some feet disappear from a cloud.  A personal favourite below from Adriaen van Overbeke from the early 1500's. 

But perhaps, as is often the case, we get lost in the semantics of what the words say rather than what the words mean.

The truth about the ascension is simple. 

At the end of Jesus' ministry on earth he goes back to the start.  Be reminded that John's prologue tells us that :

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning." John 1:1-2

The ascension shows us that God is circular. Christ is the Word. Christ is from God. Christ is God and Christ returns to God. God is alive forever more. Alive to listen to us, help us, support us and strengthen us. Our God is here right now, in this place, with you, wherever you are. 

So today, perhaps don't look up to the sky because you won't see any feet dangling from a cloud. But instead look around you and know that the Ascension tells us that God is here. He is alive and listening. Talk to him now!

You might like to listen to this song contemporary hymn connected to the ascension.

Andy Cherry: "Our God's Alive" Lyric Video - YouTube