Heaven

Ascension of Jesus; Mark 16:15-20

“after speaking to them, the savior was taken up into heaven”

Danny Deckchair is a quirky Australian comedy about Danny, a cement truck driver who ties helium balloons to his deckchair and accidentally flies away. He crash-lands in a small town, reinventing himself and finding love. Meanwhile, his disappearance sparks media frenzy and personal revelations back home. Danny gains newfound confidence and becomes a beacon of inspiration for the outback townsfolk, who once saw themselves as insignificant. His presence helps them recognize the value of their lives and community. Danny's journey uplifts everyone, bringing transformation, renewal, and unexpected love.

Carl Sagan once said, “if Jesus literally ascended into the sky and traveled at the speed of light, then he hasn’t yet escaped our galaxy.” Which begs the question, “where then, is heaven?” Or even, “Is there a heaven?” I have spent most of my life thinking that some-day I will go to heaven, and see God, if only I can be good enough. Turns out, heaven is not so much a place, as a state of mind. So, where did Jesus go when he ascended?

Sometimes, when a person dies, it is sudden and over before one can even begin to process what has happened. And in other cases, death is a prolonged journey. Even in those cases, its not always possible to fully understand what has happened or why. And when it is over, the person is no longer with us, and there is a void in our lives.

Surely, when Jesus died, all of his family, friends and followers felt a void. Jesus had been the center of their lives. They laughed together, ate together, walked together, and learned together. The disciples had the privilege of encountering Jesus after he rose to confirm all that he had taught was fulfilled. But that could not last forever. In my mind, the writers of the Gospels had to find a way to say “good-bye” to Jesus at some point. Hence, the Ascension.

That does not make the Ascension any less important. It is a moment for us to reflect on the fact that life goes on, and we have a role we must complete. That role is to continue the work that Jesus began. The disciples will come to that realization on Pentecost (more on that later!) but we don’t have to wait, we can start right now.

Danny Deckchair had the chance to make a difference because his balloons all popped over a remote town in Australia. The disciples of Jesus were offered a chance to make a difference over the whole world. I too, am offered a chance to make a difference in the world I inhabit. I read The Beatitudes [Matthew 5:3-12] and see how Jesus has given me direction on what needs to happen in this world.

The people in my life who have preceded me in death, and whose example I work to emulate, have not “disappeared”. They live on in my memory and in all the lives they touched. Jesus died and rose, and has not disappeared. Following the teachings of Jesus, I do my share to build heaven on earth and bring the reign of God to fruition in this lifetime. My prayer is that my journey will uplift everyone, bring transformation, renewal, and unexpected love. And bring heaven here on earth, today.

Every Day.

© 2025 by Timothy J. Doppel

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