LRC, Houston - the weekends-free church in Houston, Texas

This is a follow up to a commentary on LRCHouston, dated June 4th. So, you might start there or read this one first- whatever!
My point in the LRCHouston post was that too many Christians who try and make nearly every event in the Bible LITERAL, come across as not making much sense. Yes, God can do any and all miracles, but come on! Do we have to make Jesus the third astronaut and launch Him from the pad at Bethany? I don’t think so: however, there are many who do. But let’s look at two principle arguments that might help you accept a “dematerialized- glorious body” account in a different way.

Neither the Lucan or Acts account are of a “movement in space“.

Jesus is not limited by time or space. As we’ve raised our consciousness and spiritual understanding over the last 2,00 years, we have a better understanding of what the “ascension” really was more like. Even C.S. Lewis once asked, “How can a physical, tangible body leave the surface of this planet”?

Well, it’s easy if you believe in Superman or Spiderman!
Secondarily, the accounts of Jesus departure were not describing a “moment in time“. Once more, Jesus is not hindered by space or time. Was Jesus really here for a literal 40 days or a metaphorical 40 days. Does it matter? Yes, if you are a fundamentalists it really does.

I am not!

John Middleton Murray said, “Forty days is a period of timeless spiritual happening.” The Ascension story has at it’s core the message and reality that Jesus CONTROLS the UNIVERSE, it does not have ANY control over Him. Death cannot keep Jesus dead.

All authority has been given to Jesus, the Christ!

That’s the message! Jesus has absolute authority and sovereignty over every part of this universe- creation!

John A.T. Robinson put it this way, ” The doctrine of the Ascension is not a fairy story from the pre-space age. It’s the claim- if we set it free to speak- that everything (even space travel itself) must be subjected to the priorities of Jesus, the Christ. For He reigns in the MIGHT and RIGHT of God!