Are we There Yet?
After the resurrection Jesus’ disciples asked him a question.
“Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
John Calvin in his commentary wrote, “There are as many errors in this question as words” (Vol. 36 Acts pt I).
The questions they really want to know is, “Are we there yet?”
They’ve been waiting for years. They’ve been following Jesus. They’ve seen amazing things. They are ready. But they aren’t ready for the right thing.
Jesus addresses their mistaken thinking in 4 areas:
Time
Is it now Jesus? Are you going to give political power back to Israel now?
Jesus is about to give them power - but not the power they are expecting. And the answer to “Is it now?” Is both yes, and no. The Spirit is coming now to begin the work of the new creation, hovering over the believers and empowering them to bear witness to God’s work in the world. But the process will be long - wholeness - peace - shalom - the eternal 7th day - will not come quickly. It is being realized through the witness of every believer from Acts 1 until right now.Power
The question is about political power. Restoring the kingdom means removing foreign rule and giving Israel political sovereignty. Jesus tells them they will receive power. They cannot take it for themselves, but can only receive it by the will of the Spirit. And this power will be to witness. They will receive power to bring God’s Kingdom into its fullness through their words and deeds. Not only is this not the power they are hoping for, but their witness will get most of them killed. This is not earthly power and it is certainly not political power. But it is a gift from God for the Kingdom of God.
Mission
They think the goal is national sovereignty, but the goal is God’s sovereignty. The goal is not about their national identity, the goal is international. Jesus gives geographic instructions to make this very clear. They will witness where they are in Jerusalem, but they will also witness to their hated neighbors in Samaria, because God’s kingdom will be established there as well. In fact, God’s kingdom has no borders and they will witness to the ends of the earth. Jesus speaks against their nationalist thinking.
Kingdom
God’s Kingdom is not what they are expecting. It is not bound by time or geography. It is not achieved through earthly power or politics. God has been speaking over the world since the beginning, and through the saving love of Jesus, believers are invited to join in the work of new creation. Bear witness to the goodness of Jesus and the everlasting Kingdom of God. God’s Kingdom is everywhere in creation that the Spirit is working.
“He said to them: It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:7-8
The disciples asked, “Are we there yet?”
But Jesus answers by telling them where they are going and how they will get there.
The Kingdom of God is present wherever the Spirit is working. We are there. But there is not fully here yet.
May God’s Kingdom come.