Teaching Team
Mem B'Omer
Tags: omer
Thursday night is the fortieth day of the Omer. According to Acts 1:3, that makes this Thursday night (and Friday day) the anniversary of the Ascension of the Master.
To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God. (Acts 1:3)
The Ascension is an event in the life of Yeshua that is commonly overlooked, but in terms of its significance, it is no less than His birth, His death and His resurrection. Though it does not fall on an appointed time, believers should still keep the 40th day as a special occasion.
I first began to take note of the fortieth day of the Omer (Mem B'Omer) when teaching at a Messianic congregation seven years ago. I gathered the men of the community for an evening of song, testimony, teaching and snacks. We have had several 40th day gatherings since then.
Because the Spirit of Messiah dwells within us, and because we are members of His body, the fortieth day is not only the anniversary of His ascension, but it is an opportunity for us to connect with Him in that ascension. Paul teaches us that we are in a mystical sense seated with Him in the heavenly places even now. The fortieth day is an appropriate occasion to concentrate on that connection to Messiah and be spiritually elevated with Him to the right hand of the Father.
What are you going to do this year to mark the Ascension Day as special. Post your ideas here.
D. Thomas Lancaster
Iyar 21, 5768
Omer 36
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Visitor Feedback:
Last Shabbat I was thinking about what we could do for Ascension day. After Havdalah, we got online to see if there are any Christian traditions associated with the ascension (also called Analepsis "the taking up" or Episozomene "the salvation" since this event marked the completion of our salvation). In the Eastern Church it is considered one of the twelve great feasts.
Probably the coolest one (I thought) was a processional/parade complete with torches and banners depicting a lion standing over a dragon, symbolizing the victory of the Messiah over the evil one. It seemed a bit like Simchat Torah to me. Other traditions include picnicking on a hill or mountain, and eating some sort of bird (since they fly or "ascend"). I personally would think that fish would be more appropriate, but hey, both would be fine too. Another tradition is the blessing for fruit and beans, probably tied to the offering of first fruits in the Temple period.
Seth | May 26, 2008 3:19 PM
Daniel, what a coincidence! We were just talking about how we could celebrate the ascension this Shabbat. Here's some stuff I found from traditional Christianity although I m not fully sure how to incorporate it.
Traditions:
Blessing of Fruits and Beans
Procession with torches and banners
Extinguishing the Paschal Candle
Typology Foreshadowing the Ascension:
Elijah's Fiery Chariot
The Translation of Enoch
Customs:
As to customs, it is traditional to eat some sort of bird on this day, in honor of Christ Who "flew" to Heaven. If you live in a hilly or mountainous area, climbing the hills in commemoration of Jesus and the Apostles' climbing the Mt. of Olives, whence Jesus ascended to Heaven, is customary. Putting the two together, a picnic that includes some sort of bird and eaten on a hill or mountain would be a perfect way to spend the day.
Toby Janicki | May 26, 2008 8:24 PM
I'm not so sure about the bird-eating bit, but I really like the mountain climbing idea. Or maybe this: we live near a ski resort mountain. In the summer off-season they open up the chair lifts for rides to the top. Maybe we'll take our picnic and do some ascending.
David V. | May 27, 2008 7:43 AM
I think I will spend my time scratching my head and looking up at the sky.
Steve Petersen | May 27, 2008 10:04 AM
this is very fascinating, thank you for sharing, I plan on doing somethin special this friday, Im not sure what just yet, also, is this 40 day count starting from the crescent mooon of the first month,count of the Passover?
D.A. Fluker II | May 27, 2008 6:39 PM
Daniel,
Like Toby, I was looking at how to celebrate this day this past Shabbat. I was looking into what day it would fall on and I noticed that in your above post you stated that the Master ascended on the 40th day of the omer, but in the Messiah magazine Passover special (issue 90), on page 34, 3rd to the last paragraph you state that it was the 41st day that he ascended. I was just wondering which one it is so we can know which day to celebrate?
Jeff | May 28, 2008 12:37 AM
We are having special guests over for Shabbat dinner. They are believers, but not Torah observant. This will be their first Erev Shabbat dinner. I want to bring up the counting of the omer and share your posting here. It's short and sweet. Just something to get them thinking. Shalom!
Eva | May 29, 2008 12:19 AM
Chicken for dinner on the ascension of Messiah -- there's a food for every occasion in Judaism, isn't there? :D
Anne M. | May 30, 2008 11:30 AM