Acts 1:6-11: the Ascension of Jesus
6 So when they had come together, they asked Him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samar′ia and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when He had said this, as they were looking on, He was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as He went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, Who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven.” (RSV)
Forty days after the Resurrection of Jesus, His disciples and Mother witnessed His departure from them as He bodily ascended into heaven. To be sure, His was no ordinary body: it was the risen, radiant Jesus who could suddenly appear in their midst and come through closed doors. But otherwise it was the Jesus they had known and who bore the marks of crucifixion.
The Ascension has four key meanings.
First, it represents the completion of Christ’s work of salvation. By bringing human nature into the godhead, Christ’s ascension says that God and human beings can live in total and direct communion. Being “in Christ” we have the possibility of a life so transformed by divine communion that we can say we are one with God in theosis. As St Athanasius said, “God became man so that man could become God.”
Second, the Ascension is the promise of the Holy Spirit. Christ assures the disciples that they will not be left as orphans (John 14:18). The Father will send the Holy Spirit as Comforter and Counselor, to empower them, teach them, guide them and bring to their minds all that Jesus said and did.
Third, the Ascension puts the disciples on notice that their long awaited mission is about to begin. “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samar′ia and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). This is the key verse of the entire book of Acts, focused as it is on mission. The Holy Spirit will give the disciples courage to overcome their fears and do more than they could ever imagine. Beginning from the place of most fear and persecution—Jerusalem—they will become witnesses of Christ’s resurrection and universal message of salvation.
Fourth, the Ascension leaves the disciples with hope, looking forward to Christ’s return. Whatever else befalls them, they know that the Lord will be with them now through the Holy Spirit and in due time will return again. And so they left the Mount of Olives, “returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God” (Luke 24:52-53).
When You fulfilled the dispensation for our sake
and united earth to heaven,
You ascended in glory, Christ our God,
not being parted from those who love You,
but remaining with them and crying:
I am with you, and no one will prevail against you!
(Ascension, Kontakion tone 6)
Back from Atlanta
Got back last night with Father Eric Tosi from Atlanta after meetings about the 18th All-American Council. Melanie Ringa went on to Phoenix for the Diocese of the West’s Assembly (Metropolitan Tikhon is there as well); Father Myron Manzuk (Council Manager) headed home to Minneapolis; and Peter Ilchuk (Logistics) went back to Pittsburgh. We ended our trip with a very hospitable visit and lunch with His Eminence, Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta. We delivered to him the official invitation from Metropolitan Tikhon to participate in the Council.