The Ascension and Pentecost
Rising and Receiving from Christ
Christ’s Ascension took place 4o days after Easter, and was celebrated on May 18, 2023.
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The Risen Christ ascended to heaven in his glorified physical body. The disciples were amazed, and empowered. This was seen like a king’s coronation—recognition by the entire cosmos that Christ is the promised Messiah, and Lord of All.
My Ascension painting is layered over a my drawing of the crucified Christ.
In the upper right hand of the round painting, you can see a portal to the heavenly realms. Christ-followers united to Christ, are already ascended with Christ in glory. God gives us a new vision from these upper realms. This perspective empowers us to share justice and love until Christ returns, and to “have a completely new look at our lives, a look not from below, where we count our losses but from above, where God offers us his glory.” (Henry Nouwen, With Burning Hearts: A Meditation on the Eucharistic Life, p. 125.)
In my painting, living waters stream out of this heavenly city. The waters represent the Holy Spirit, which Jesus sent 10 days after he ascended, at Pentecost.
Pentecost is celebrated on May 28, 2023.
At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended on the praying disciples in the form of tongues of fire resting on each one’s head, illumining their minds and warming their hearts. God directed them to share the news of Jesus’ resurrection with Jewish people of all nations, and soon, with Gentiles as well—that was scandalous! Their message was to repent, be baptized, and be filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2).
This same Holy Spirit is available today, as an advocate, helper, comforter and friend.
Paul writes,
“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death… For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption…the Spirit of God dwells in you…When we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Romans 8:2, 9, 15).
In the book of Revelation, Jesus invites all to drink of these flowing streams, when he said:
“I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star…let everyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift” (Revelation 22:16, 17).
Have you received this gift? If not, you can say “yes” to God now. If you are already a Christ-follower, you can ask for another deep drink of this living water, to fill you today.
Thank yoy!