Jesus' Ascension: A 40-Day Journey Back to Heaven After Resurrection
According to the New Testament, the ascension of Jesus into heaven is a significant event recorded by the apostle Luke. However, the timing of this event is disputed, with Luke describing it as occurring on the same day as the resurrection in the Gospel of Luke, whereas it is described in the later book of Acts as happening 40 days later. This article aims to explore the reasons behind this discrepancy and shed light on the spiritual significance of this journey.
The Ascension According to Luke
In the Gospel of Luke, the ascension of Jesus is depicted as a quick event, occurring possibly on the same day as the resurrection. However, in the book of Acts, the ascension is described as happening 40 days following the resurrection. Luke's change in mind and preference for 40 days is intriguing, as it aligns with the significance of the number 40 in biblical symbolism.
Spiritual Significance of the Number 40
The number 40 is significant in the Bible, representing trials, probation, and testing. This can be seen in various instances such as the 40 days and nights of rain during the flood in Genesis, the 40 days of fasting by Moses and Elijah, and the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness by the Israelites. Therefore, it is conceivable that the authors/editors of Acts chose 40 days for the ascension to symbolize a significant spiritual testing or probation period for the disciples and early Christians.
Jesus' Waiting for His Ride Home
Metaphorically, Jesus was waiting for His ride home, much like how God the Father was waiting for Jesus to ascend to heaven. The idea that Jesus needed transportation highlights the human aspect of His journey back to heaven, as He was still a man with a physical body. The Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts both mention that Jesus was taken up in a cloud, indicating that some other divine being had to provide Him the means to travel.
It is important to understand that in biblical terms, God is the only omnipresent deity, meaning that He is present everywhere without the need for transportation. In contrast, every other being, including angels, demons, and humans, require some form of transportation. The mention of UFOs and sightings of lights in the sky can be seen as an extension of this divine transportation concept.
Mourning and Hallucinations
In psychology, it is known that mourners often experience hallucinations of their loved ones. This phenomenon is believed to occur within about six weeks, approximately 40 days. The authors/editors of the Acts of the Apostles may have used this psychological phenomenon to explain the delay in the ascension narrative. The Gospel of Luke, from the same group of authors/editors, paints a different picture, depicting Jesus as present until just before Pentecost, fifty days after Passover.
The discrepancy in the ascension narrative between Luke and Acts may suggest that there were two different nuclei of early Christianity, with one centered in Galilee and the other in Jerusalem. The Gospel according to John presents a more anti-Jerusalem and anti-Judaic perspective, possibly reflecting the views of the Galilean group.
Conclusion
The 40-day period following the resurrection of Jesus serves a deeper spiritual purpose in the narrative of the New Testament. It represents a testing and probation period for the disciples and early Christians. The act of Jesus ascending to heaven, assisted by angels, highlights the human nature of His experience while also emphasizing the divine process of His return to the Father. Understanding these elements can provide a richer and more comprehensive view of the biblical narrative and its spiritual significance.