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The Ascension of Jesus
By Mary Kretzmann
 
The Ascension of Jesus
By Mary KretzmannIt was very early in the morning, around 4 AM, and still dark outside; the lamps were burning in the upper room of the big house in which the last supper was held. TheApostles and Jesus’ Mother were there having breakfast. (There were other disciples inthis big house, but they were in other rooms.) Suddenly Jesus was there with them; hesimply appeared, just like the other times, even though the doors were closed. At firstthey were quite startled and frightened; then he said, “Hail and Peace. It is I.”They calmed down and offered him a cushioned chair, and something to eat, and he took a little of it. He spoke to them strongly and earnestly for a long time of things pertainingto the kingdom of God, at times pointing his finger upward toward heaven. And then hetold them that today would be the last time they would see him on earth in human form.It was now time to tell the other disciples. The Apostles called together the others whowere in the house and explained what was happening. These included some new discipleswho had come to know Jesus in the very last day of his life, such as the wife of PontiusPilate, and Longinus, a Roman soldier who was deeply changed at the foot of the cross.Many others were also changed that day.Soon they all walked out of the house, following Jesus, who was wearing a radiant whiterobe. They walked on a path that took them out of Jerusalem, crossing a brook calledCedron, and then headed out toward Bethany, but not all the way to the house of Lazarus.Soon they turned left, climbing up a small mountain called Olivet. They were all barefoot, and He was walking along, always slightly in the lead, yet his feet never reallyhit the ground. Peter and John were on either side, and He was talking with everyone…A large gathering of people awaited him on top of the mountain. Jesus first spoke toeveryone there, then to his Apostles, and finally to his mother. (She was standing near therear of the group.) He stressed that they should not leave Jerusalem but stay together and,“Wait for the promise of the Father, which you have heard of me. For John (the Baptist)truly baptized with water; you shall be baptized of the Holy Spirit not many days hence.”When he spoke privately with his Apostles, they asked him, ‘Lord, will you at this timerestore again the kingdom of Israel?”Jesus replied, “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father has putin his own power. But you shall receive power, after the Holy Ghost is come upon you,and you shall be witnesses unto me in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and in Samaria, andunto the uttermost part of the earth…And these signs shall follow them that believe; Inmy name they shall cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues…they shall layhands on the sick, and they shall recover.”
 
And finally, most beautiful of all was the way Jesus took leave of his mother. She was thelast one he spoke to; he lingered with her for some time and then looked at her with anexpression of particular love. Her eyes overflowed with tears of deep devotion for her son, and for God.And then he lifted up his hands, blessing them, and while he blessed them he began torise up toward the east. Behind his back the sun had just risen. His white robe glistenedlike snow, and the wounds from the cross were now made of brilliant light. The woundnear his heart could be seen clearly shiningthrough his clothing. And the sun behind him wasred and fiery, and very beautiful. They all gazedsteadfastly toward the east, watching him. Herose very slowly, giving a last, loving look, andthen he began to hold his hands downward. Thena beautiful white cloud came and no one couldsee him anymore.Suddenly two luminous men in white clothingwere standing there. “You men of Galilee, whystand you here gazing up into heaven? This sameJesus, which is taken up from you into heaven,shall so come in like manner as you have seenhim go up into heaven.”And then they were gone, too. In the quiet awefollowing this incredible blessing, John looked atthe place on the ground on which Jesus last stood.Something on the stone caught his attention, and he pointed it out to everyone else. Jesus’footprints had been left behind on the stone! First, Jesus’ mother came up, then MaryMagdalene, and then all the rest of them, and with deep love and reverence they kissedthe footprints.
Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet… And when they werecome in, they went up into an upper room, where abode all of the Apostles… These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary themother of Jesus, and with his brethren. Acts 1: 12-14
 And they were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God.
 Luke 24:53

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