40 days. That number comes up many times in the Bible. 40 days Noah weathered the storm. Goliath taunted the Israelites for 40 days until David defeated him. For 40 days Moses, Elijah and Jesus fasted in the dessert. And, 40 days after Jesus rose from the dead on Easter Sunday, Jesus ascended into Heaven. There are more examples, but we will focus only on the last one for this post. 40 days after rising from the dead, Jesus ascended into Heaven. Today marks 40 days, and today marks the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord.
At the end of the 40 days, Jesus’ humanity entered the Divine Glory in God’s heavenly domain. As Jesus was both Human and God incarnate, he ascended body and soul into Heaven according to Luke 24:50-53 and Acts 1:9-11. Those are the only two scripture references to His Ascension, although he tells Mary Magdalene, in John 20:17 “I have not yet ascended to the Father, but go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.” He knew He would ascend after He rose from the dead. Due to his dual nature, His whole body and spirit rose as one triumph and exaltation of Jesus’ Glory.
Where is the Dome?
Since I am a wandering historian, let’s wander to where the Ascension took place, just outside the Old City of Jerusalem. East of the Temple, across the Kidron Valley is the Mount of Olives. On the top of the Mount of Olives, north of where Jesus taught his Apostles the Lord’s Prayer and above the Garden of Gethsemane, sits a Dome. It is at this Dome, the Dome of the Ascension, where Jesus ascended into Heaven.
The best way to travel to the site from the Old City is through Lion’s Gate east towards the Garden of Gethsemane, then up the Mount of Olives and bear north after the Church of the Pater Noster. This is a short uphill walk, about 15 or 20 so minutes, depending on if you stop during your climb up the Mount of Olives. I recommend going past the Church of Dominus Flevit, which is where Jesus wept when He foresaw the fate of Jerusalem. This route will be the most scenic for pictures.
The Site’s history
In the early life of Christianity, faithful Christians built several Churches to recognize this wonderous event. Today there sits only a small octagonal building on the site of a Mosque. For a bit of religious studies, Muslims also believe in Jesus, and believe in His Ascension. Therefore, when Saladin defeated the Crusaders in Jerusalem in the late 12th Century, the Churches were turned into a Mosque in celebration.
According to the website www.seetheholyland.net, the first Church built on this site in the late 4th Century was open to the sky. The Church was rebuilt several times before Saladin arrived, and then a roof was installed. A curious item inside the original Church, and still found in the current Dome, is an impression of a right foot. It is believed the impression is Jesus’ foot as He left Earth and ascended into Heaven. The left foot print is now in the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount.
Current status
The Islamic Waqf Foundation, which oversees the administration of the Dome and Mosque, allows different Christian denominations to hold services for celebrating Ascension Feasts. And, anyone can visit the Dome.
I visited several times during my time in Jerusalem, although I was not there to celebrate the Feast. Admittedly, I was a bit dissatisfied with my visit. The biggest reason is the diminished state of reverence for its significance. I am not criticizing the Islamic Waqf Foundation. While Muslims believe in Jesus, He is not the center of their faith and, the Dome is not as “impressive” as other Christian sites in the Holy Land.
I would love for the site to hold more inspiration and be more of a center point to Christians. That doesn’t mean you should not go and visit. Please, I encourage you to go if you have time. Experience the spot Jesus left Earth and ascended into Heaven. Share a common belief with another Abrahamic religion in our belief that Jesus ascended. Share a colocation of faith, just like we share the Valley of Elah with our Jewish brothers and Sisters as the site where David defeated Goliath.
While most of us will not be able to visit Jerusalem today to honor the Feast of the Lord’s Ascension, reflect on the significance of the event. And remember, don’t just stare into the sky after Jesus like the Apostles did, listen the words of the two dressed in white that told the Apostles:
“Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky?
This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven
will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.”
As always, thank you for reading, God Bless, stay safe and I wish you good luck traveling.
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