Ascension is a Christian festival with a Janus face. The risen Savior leaves his disciples. From then on, they are on their own. They do not yet know about the gift of the Holy Spirit. Is the Lord abandoning his followers again, shortly after his shameful end on the Roman cross? On the one hand, this anxious suspicion seems obvious. On the other hand, the Ascension myth describes the triumphant conclusion of the second, mysterious appearance of the Son of God on earth. Elijah was lifted up to heaven in a chariot of fire, Christ on a cloud.