But the Ascension on the Mount of Olives was more than a leave-taking indicating the conclusion of the Resurrection appearances; it was also a symbolic action designed to teach the Apostles something about the character of that heavenly life which he now entered.

Jesus did not go up towards the sky because Heaven is “up above” or “out there” in space.  Heaven is simply where God is seen, and so no physical distance is involved.  The manner of his leave-taking was a practical and effective expression of the common metaphor which pictures status, and fortune, and happiness and goodness in terms of up and above.  Thus we speak of individuals who have come up in the world and are at the summit of their powers.  Similarly, we talk of high spirits and lofty principles.  So, by going up from the Mount of Olives towards the sky, Our Lord taught the truth that he was returning to Heaven, which is in every way a higher and happier life, and better life than that which we have on earth.

And because Heaven is where God is seen, it is close at hand.  As St Paul said, in God “…we live and move and have our being…” (RSV, Acts 17:28).  That is why Our Lord before his Ascension into Heaven could give his Apostles the unqualified assurance, “…lo, I am with you always…” (RSV, Matthew 28:20).

And from then onwards he was always present with them because they were always in his Presence.  So came true one of the most remarkable utterances which Our Lord made during his earthly life, “…where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (RSV, Matthew 18:20, our emphasis).