When they were together for the last time they asked, “Master, are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel now? Is this the time?” He told them, “You don’t get to know the time. Timing is the Father’s business. What you’ll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world.” (THE MESSAGE)
It was just before Jesus ascended into the presence of God. His disciples seemed to have a burning question on their minds. Now that he had risen from the dead and was ending his earthly mission, was this the time Israel would attain its desired status in the world?
It was the wrong question. They still hadn’t grasped that this kingdom Jesus had so often spoken about was not to be confused with the nation of Israel. It went much wider than that. Later in the book of Acts we see the disciples still thought in narrowly ethnic terms. The gospel was all about making Israel great again.
Jesus brushes off this question. He has a bigger picture to reveal to them. They are not to be a nationalistic huddle. The good news is to be spread to all peoples. That is to be their job, not speculating on the fate of their own nation. This ties in with the overarching story of Israel: they were always meant to be a light to the Gentiles. They were chosen not to rest on their laurels but to share the privilege they had.
Spreading the good news is going to be a challenge and these disciples are not to rush off and try to do it in a fit of enthusiasm. They have to be equipped by the indwelling Spirit of Jesus, the Holy Spirit otherwise it will fall flat when human enthusiasm and skill is exhausted. God asks us to embrace this larger picture of what he has in mind. And he gives us the tools to do the job. He never commands without equipping.
Blessings,
David
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