But even the earliest disciples were confused by the way in which Jesus intended to bring the kingdom of heaven on earth. After he was resurrected, in Acts 1:6 they asked him, [so... now that all thats taken care of, now are YOU going to RESTORE the KINGDOM to Israel??] And Jesus basically tells them, [NO, you are, thats why I'm leaving and you are waiting for the Holy Spirit to fill you, because now its your turn, YOU RESTORE the KINGDOM! Here's your baton.]
Here's the story in NIV Acts 1:3-9
"After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
6 So when they met together, they asked him,
“Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7 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.”
9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight."
Jesus did his part. It is finished. But its a relay race, and by giving the Holy Spirit to live in us, to be himself in us, he has effectively passed the baton. He made possible the restoration of all of us to the Lord. And made an open door between heaven and earth, he is the access to the Kingdom of God from earth. And then he began empowering each believer with the Holy Spirit, that we can be his personal agents of restoration. So that he goes wherever we go. That we can extend the Kingdom of God in each of our personal places of influence all over the world, wherever we go, he goes, and he hopes to restore justice through us. To extend his kingdom of love through us everywhere we go. God has always wanted us to partner with him in bringing his kingdom reign on the earth:
Isaiah 59: 15-16
"...The LORD looked and was displeased
to find there was no justice.
16 He was amazed to see that no one intervened
to help the oppressed.
So he himself stepped in to save them with his strong arm,
and his justice sustained him.
God was looking for his friends to stand up for justice on the earth. He is waiting for us to accept our true identity as sons and daughters of the King, and to represent his Kingdom everywhere we go, in love and power.
I can remember a walk in the park years ago, crying out to God for revival,
and he very gently reminded me:
"You are revival."
The baton is in your hand.
"The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead, now lives in you." (Rom 8:11)
You restore the Kingdom.
God is reminding me again and again, as I see injustices in the world all around me, and cry out for mercy and justice and righteousness and life. He is reminding me, 'yes, lets go restore the world to my love, together.'
Praying for wild boldness... :)
