Ascensions

When the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind . . . 

 - From 2 Kings 2

Going back to yesterday's reflection, this is one point in the life of Elijah, that God may have taken him up, and then planted back down into the timeline, onto the Mount of Transfiguration and the meeting with Jesus and Moses. 

Elijah's ascension was similar to that of Christ. The exceptions are, that Elijah required a vehicle, a flaming chariot, whereas Christ just ascended, without help. Also, Elijah's ascension had a lot of buildup. He had traveled from Bethel, to Jericho, to the Jordan River, each time picking up another handful of prophets and probably a growing mass of people. The ascension of Elijah was a spectacle, a major event not unlike a 21st Century community annual summer festival. 

Elijah's sidekick, Elishah, was well-prepared to take over. 

But Jesus' ascension came suddenly. Despite all of His preparations and advice to the Apostles, they still seemed surprised by it. He was with them only. Just a dozen men off at some remote area. 

But I like to think that Elijah's ascension had one other key point - - - he was on his way to a meeting with Moses and Jesus. 

And immediately after that meeting, Jesus would begin His journey, amidst a growing throng of people. Elijah's journey started in Bethel, and ended at the Jordan River. Jesus' journey began at Bethelehem, was launched in earnest in his baptism in the Jordan River, and ended in Jerusalem. 

Elijah's ministry began quietly and ended among a lot of fanfare.

Jesus' ministry exploded into international fame (Rome had heard about Him), but ended quietly, with a few friends. 

Elijah ascended in a flaming paroxysm. 

Jesus ascended in a gentle flurry of overwhelming quiet.