30 Day Jesus Challenge - Day 26 Ascension

After Christ was raised from the dead He appeared to as many as 500 people at one time (1 Corinthians 15:3-7).  The Disciples only understood his coming in the context of 1st Century Jews and that was Messiah would restore an Earthly Kingdom.

The Real Face of Jesus - Ray Downing

Acts 1:6-11  So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?”

Acts 1:7-8 He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 1:9-11 After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”

Pray - I believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sins, I believe on the third day He rose again and then ascended into Heaven.  I believe that He will one day return again.

(If you are interested in a scientific and scriptural look at the 40 day period between the resurrection and the ascension, I'd invite you to enjoy this compelling documentary by Ray Downing and the History Channel.  This is the sequal to the "Real Face of Jesus", which is also an amazing tale of the Shroud of Turin and is where the above picture of Christ came from.)

The Face of Jesus

Abigail and Dolley readers about three years ago I was doodling around on the internet and came across a web site on The Shroud of Turin.  The site led to another, which led to another, and as I recall I spent most of that weekend finding out everything that I could about it.  It is a fascinating study where science and history collide in a manner that is not mutually exclusive.  Occasionally, I will Google Search the Shroud of Turin to see if there is anything new and recently came across the six part History Channel special on recreating a 3D face out of the data extrapolated from the Shroud.  I was enthralled, I love this stuff, you know?

(My nine year old said, "That's not Jesus, that's Desmond!")

I watched all six parts, I wanted to savor the journey.  I wanted to make the discoveries on the way with the film makers.  The film itself is basic facts and history, sort of a Shroud 101 but the purpose is not a new analysis of the cloth, it is about trying to build the face of the Lord.  I enjoyed it tremendously.

I will not post a spoiler face as I encourage you to take the journey yourself.  For me, a few things emerged, that I would like to share.  First of all, the Jesus is a Jewish man.  Now I knew this intellectually but for some reason the mental image I had in my head was the Hollywood version of Christ.  Second, was that when they revealed him at the end of the film my breath was taken away and my first thought was, "I know you!"  I knew him on an elemental level that is beyond description.  I knew him in my Soul.