In Orthodox liturgy for communion, there is a reflection in the middle of remembering Jesus that has gradually become explosive in meaning to me.

“Take, eat, this is My Body, which is broken for you for the remission of sins.

Drink of this, all of you; this is My Blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the remission of sins…

“Remembering, therefore, this saving commandment and all that has been done for our sake: the Cross, the tomb, the Resurrection on the third day, the Ascension into heaven, the enthronement at the right hand, and the second and glorious coming again…”

We praise You, we bless You, we give thanks to You, and we pray to You, Lord our God.”

• Liturgy of St John Chrysostom

Again, reading this can lead to easy glossover, with much being missed in the face of familiarity. Noticing that we remember what Jesus has accomplished, we in the West might usually see Jesus dying for our sins. Or we might go a step further and say Jesus died for our sins and rose from the dead. But, let’s notice those great accomplishments of Jesus are part of a larger whole. Those accomplishments have great implications that deserve attention, and it starts with God at the beginning. I’m promising to try and keep this short…

Back to the Beginning

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth—a familiar phrase. Today, Genesis 1 is often read like a science text, but ancient readers likely saw it as explaining what and why God created. For example, “heavens and earth” could mean “sky and land.” The days of creation describe God bringing order from nothing, like a king establishing his kingdom. Kings built gardens as sacred spaces, and similarly, God creates humans in His image to rule creation on His behalf, filled with His Spirit. Humankind was filled with His Spirit, joining humans to God. This rule would be on God’s behalf, in His ways, as God intends.

After God created everything, He saw it was good and rested, completing His work. This rest established the foundation for the Sabbath. In ancient tradition, a king’s reign begins when he rests on his throne after building his temple or garden. Similarly, God created humans to rule with Him over land, sea, and sky—heaven and earth were unified. But this unity was short-lived.

God gave humankind a commandment to not eat from a certain tree, for if they eat from it, in that day they would surely die. Tempted by a serpent, Adam and Eve disobeyed, felt immediate shame, and hid. The phrase “in the cool of the day,” often read as peaceful, is actually a Hebrew idiom implying a disruptive, cold and harsh wind. God expelled them from Eden to prevent them from eating the Tree of Life and living forever in separation from Him. Eden, where God dwells with His people, was now barred, creating a tragic distance.

God Doesn’t Give Up

From Genesis through the Prophets, the Bible tells of God’s relentless pursuit to restore His presence among His people, echoing promises like: “I will be their God, and they shall be my people” (Leviticus 26:12; Jeremiah 32:38; Ezekiel 37:27; 2 Corinthians 6:16).

This pursuit continues through Abraham and Israel. Despite their failures, God delivers them from Egypt and instructs Moses to build a tabernacle—a portable Eden, modeled after a heavenly pattern. It had three sections: the outer court with an altar, a gold-covered holy place with a menorah and 12 loaves (representing Israel before God), and the innermost Holy of Holies where God dwelled. People couldn’t enter freely—not because God rejected them, but because His holiness couldn’t coexist with unholy humankind.

The priesthood and sacrifices were instituted to bridge this gap. Offerings in the form of animals and incense outside sent smoke heavenward (into the tabernacle)—symbolically entering God's presence where people could not. Though this system allowed limited access, it highlighted the deeper problem: God’s Spirit couldn’t dwell with an unclean people. Yet, through centuries of failure, God never gave up on His desire to dwell with humanity. Worship at the tabernacle was also symbolized as a meal between God and His people. The offerings burnt were also eaten. It was a sign of restored fellowship.

Psalm 24 

Who may ascend onto the hill of the Lord?
And who may stand in His holy place?
One who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to deceit
And has not sworn deceitfully.
He will receive a blessing from the Lord
And righteousness from the God of his salvation

God Sends His Son

Eventually, because God doesn’t give up, Jesus comes. Entire Gospel accounts have been written to describe this and for the sake of time, I will highlight a few points. Jesus is born of God, as God’s Son. To be called Son of God (and Son of Man), isn’t just to say an offspring. It’s the title of a royal ruler. Roman caesars were also called sons of god. Kings were considered divine (both human and divine) representations of a deity. Jesus came as Son of God, of the God of Israel. The title, “Son of Man,” means a human ruler, or incarnate divine ruler. God created humankind to rule as His image, in His ways. This ruling is to be both royal and priestly.

Jesus, as God’s anointed, rules through humility. Jesus acts on God’s behalf towards the people (us) outside the presence of God. In Luke 15, Jesus likens himself as a shepherd looking for lost sheep, as a woman looking for a lost coin, and as a father looking for his lost sons. These examples are shared as ultimately what He is up to; bringing the lost back to God the Father.

In keeping with a meal as worship, Jesus tells His disciples to eat of His flesh and drink of His blood. For some this is kooky-talk, but in reality it’s joining in with the offering being made to God. Jesus makes a promise to His disciples that He goes to prepare a place for them in God’s house. Jesus implores them to abide in Him. Jesus also promises to send the Holy Spirit, to create a dwelling for He and His Father, in His people. 

Jesus says something I’ve found perplexing, by saying it’s better that He goes back to being with the Father. I’ve often read that with the thought, “I think it would be better if Jesus was walking around in front of us, doing all of the things Jesus does.” But, in light of the history of what God started in Genesis 1, I can sort of see why Jesus said it’s better.  If the Father and Jesus come to dwell in us, God’s Will will be done in the world. God wants heaven and earth to be unified.

So, when we come to the ascension of Jesus up to heaven, we have so much being said in a few words. We become (and are becoming) His people, restored unto God. And interestingly, in Acts 1, the disciples are left with a commissioning; to be His witnesses throughout the whole world. Something great is offered to us and that is certain hope. Accomplishes what God desires, to dwell in and with us. To meditate on this, we can find life. Jesus shows that life is that of being an intercessor. To be like Him in Luke 15…

He is seated at the right hand of the Father, interceding for Us always…not just when we feel it.

God is victorious in coming to dwell with His people, finally! We may enter through the Way the gate, the door, the Shepherd, the Light, the bread of life…

“When You had fulfilled the dispensation for our sake, * and united things on earth with the things in heaven, * You were taken up thither in glory, O Christ our God, * going not away from any place, * but continuing inseparable, * and to them that love You crying out: * “I am with you, and there is, therefore, none against you.”

The hand that has taken mine has come in the form of a 2 year (I’m a slow reader) study through the function of the first Jewish Temple, many episodes of the Bible Project Podcast, NT Wright, and Greek Orthodox Liturgy.