Ascending on high
As bell ringers we are all used to ascending the tower steps to reach the ringing room, the bell chamber and even the tower roof. Some ascents are easy with wide stairs while others are more precarious with well worn and uneven steps or rickety ladders. Some ascents take a great deal of effort with many more steps in a tall tower where the ringing room high up. In every case, care must be taken to avoid an accident. The tallest tower I have ascended is at Ulm Cathedral which is more than 500 feet to the tiny balcony at the top of the spire. It took more than an hour to get there, stopping off at regular intervals to see the bells. By the time I returned to ground level the effort involved resulted in sore legs for the next couple of days!
There were times when Jesus must also have ascended a flight of steps. We are told how he shared the Last Supper in a “large upper room” (Luke 22:12). After the crucifixion the terrified disciples were together, “with the doors locked for fear of the Jews”, presumably in that same upper room, when Jesus appeared to them after his resurrection with a greeting of peace (John 20:19). The first chapter of Acts tells how the disciples watched as the risen Jesus ascended into heaven, which is remembered and celebrated by the Church on 14th May. Then followed Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples as they were all together in one place, more than likely again in that same upper room.
The Ascension encourages us to lift our eyes above and beyond the things of this troubled world and climb to the heights of God’s wondrous love in sending his Son to be our Saviour. God has, “exalted him to the highest place and given him the name that is above every name.” (Philippians 2:9) The Gospel tells us that he has gone to prepare a place for us, and will come again to receive us to himself, that where he is, there we may be also (John 14). We may have ascended many church towers, but the greatest ascent awaits us in glory when we shall see the risen Saviour face to face.
Revd George G Cringles