This blog is being written in the context of Pentecost 2026. The last few months have seen a growing number of people from a Muslim background coming to Christ in the town on the outskirts of Manchester where I live. Easter saw four Kurdish Iranians who had a strong Muslim background baptised by full immersion in a pool placed at the front of a 11th Century church. Their stories, as they declared their desire to be baptised, left few dry eyes.

This Easter season takes in the 50 days leading up to Pentecost, and 10 days before Pentecost the festival of Ascension Day is celebrated by some. In the town where we live the Anglican churches joined together for a service (five congregations) with less than 20 people! On Ascension Day a friend got me thinking when she was contacted by an Indonesian believer in Christ from a Muslim background, who greeted her with ‘Happy Ascension Day’. What a surprise! I don’t think I’ve had ever had such a greeting. Indeed, I suspect that that the average Christian in the UK would not have been aware of Ascension Day.

Indonesia is numerically the biggest Muslim country in the world, but in some places there is a movement to Christ – Indonesians are becoming followers of Jesus. And similar to other Muslim countries, those coming to Christ frequently have a severe price to pay. Last year Word of Life held a conference which drew people from all over the world, including Indonesia,  where we had the privilege of hearing some of their stories. Life can be very hard for some believers coming to Christ from a Muslim background. It is these same believers who wish us a ‘Happy Ascension Day’. Why might Ascension Day be so important to them?

I just make a few suggestions: On Ascension Day we remember Jesus, our Saviour, risen from the dead appearing to his disciples on numerous occasions during a 40 day period, teaching them the secrets of the kingdom of God, and on which He builds his universal church, before telling his followers to wait in Jerusalem for the Spirit to explode into their lives, some 10 days later. The Ascension meant that the Holy Spirit would be sent by Father and Son. In other words – no ascension = no coming of the Spirit.

But also Jesus’ ascension took him to His Father, who ‘seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,  far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.  And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.’ (Ephesians 1:20-23). For people suffering under severe persecution the knowledge that the Jesus they follow is far above all rule, authority, power and dominion gives strength and comfort, encouraging them to stand firm in their faith.

It is interesting how our context can determine what emphasis we give to different Christian festivals. In the West the birthday of Jesus has become a festival of excess, of giving presents, of eating, drinking and being merry. Easter has become a festival of bunnies and chocolate (in excess!) and Jesus being exalted to the highest place and given the name above every name (Philippians 2:9) is almost lost. While our sisters and brother in Indonesia, and I suspect other parts of the Muslim world, celebrate the Ascension of Jesus, which speaks