Ascension Day
Thursday was Ascension Day, forty days after Easter Day. After the Resurrection Jesus spent forty days with his disciples and then “ While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven” (Luke 24:51 NRSV) We can imagine the incredible emotional highs and lows that the disciples went through. The devastation of the crucifixion, the euphoria of the Resurrection and now seeing Jesus leaving them.
This is why the Ascension is so important to us, as we prayerfully prepare for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Jesus really did leave, in very important and powerful way Jesus is absent. But we a know that Jesus is truly with us because as promised he sent the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, “I will never leave you or forsake you.”(Heb 13:5). We are never alone because through the Holy Spirit Jesus is with us.
Therefore, Jesus is with us while being absent, as he has not yet returned. As we long for Christ’s return this is the tension that we struggle with. This is the challenge of Ascension Day, to rest in the tension of the absence of Jesus and, at the same time, receive his presence right now. This paradox or mystery of faith may not always be comfortable or easy to describe, but it is real.
A huge thankyou to Glennys, Linda, Carolyne, Meredith and Robyn for a great evening filled with joy, laughter and yummy desserts on Thursday evening. It was a wonderful way to be together on Ascension Day.
God Bless you
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