Thursday, May 9, 2024
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The ascension of the Lord
Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.
After last night’s caprese and green beans with bacon at home, we look forward to some very good food on our plate during the next few days – a trip to the Estancia Brazilian Steakhouse a few days before Mother’s Day and then three-inch pork chops at Perry’s, a $19 lunch special on Fridays which sells out every week, so we’re getting there when the doors open.
Jasper will accompany us to Estancia; four and five-year olds get all the trimmings for $5. He has learned the art of holding meat with those tiny tongs as the servers cut with their giant knives. Jasper is a great companion. We’re going with good friends to Perry’s the next day. I think we’ll have enough meat in our bellies to last awhile.
Enough food to hold us down, in case there’s a brisk breeze with an uplift.
You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth. When he had said this, as they were looking on, Jesus was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight.
I remember the early morning ascensions of Adagio, our balloon when I lived in Wisconsin in the 70’s. The powerful propane burner heated the air inside the balloon as it laid out on the ground. Slowly Adagio rose up, magnificent in the rising sun. The burner, no longer needed until we were high in the sky, fell silent. I stood in the basket as it rose below the splendid balloon.
Our Father seated Christ at his right hand in the heavens, far above every principality, authority, power and dominion. And he put all things beneath his feet, as Christ became the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.
Inside the balloon the hot air shimmered against the sides so colorful and bright, and when I looked up I saw far beyond the local air.
Heaven came down and glory filled my soul. Not always, but certainly sometimes. And in those encounters with heaven I had my personal glimpses into the day of Jesus’ ascension, which happened millennia ago but happens again today, as we sing the psalm and celebrate, and know how close we are to God right here, right now.
No spiritual need for the steakhouse or the pork chops. We are well fed by our Savior, who rises into heaven before our very eyes.
The Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God. But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.
 (Acts 1, Psalm 47, Ephesians 1, Ephesians 4, Matthew 28, Mark 16)
(posted at www.davesandel.net)
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