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Beyond the Blank Blue Sky: Sermon for Ascension Day
John Witvliet

First Reading: Acts 1:1-11
Sermon Text: Revelation 5
Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 49

Today, Ascension Day, is a day of celebration. Jesus is Lord! The one who once was crowned with thorns is now crowned in glory. So today is a day for singing "Rejoice the Lord is King." "Lord, I lift your name on high," and "Crown him with many crowns."

Still, it's a mighty perplexing day. Who would ever have guessed that it would end this way?
The disciples this day make their journey with Jesus to the Mount of Olives, just as they had so many times before. Only this time they end their journey staring at a blank sky. Just days before, Jesus had showed them the nail marks in his hands. Now he slips mysteriously into heaven. The disciples are speechless. An angel has to come along and prompt them to move on.

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