Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus–Beethoven Oratorio
Christ on the Mount of Olives–Hallelujah!
1. Christ ascended to a place.
After Jesus’ resurrection, he was on earth for forty days (Acts 1:3), then he led his followers out to Bethany, just outside Jerusalem, and „lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them, and was carried up into heaven” (Luke 24:50-51)
A similar account is given by Luke in the opening section of Acts: „When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven he went, behold, two men stoodby them in white robes, 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”(Acts 1:9-11).
These narratives describe an event that is clearly designed to show the disciples that Jesus went to a place.
