Let’s Keep Our Eyes on Our Task
When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? Acts 1:6
We so often get so busy with our agendas that we totally forget why we are here. Why is it God created us and then recreated us in Christ Jesus?
Jesus trained the disciples to go to the people and minister the Gospel. They already went out in the past to preach, The kingdom of heaven is at hand (Matthew 10:7). Jesus already gave them the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19, 20. But the question they asked Jesus as they gathered following His resurrection indicates that they had totally forgotten their assignment.
Prior to the crucifixion of Jesus, the disciples believed that He was about to set up His kingdom, even overthrowing Rome. The crucifixion itself put a damper on that dream, but His victory over death in the resurrection demonstrated to them that He certainly had the power to set up the kingdom of God on earth. After all, He did speak to them concerning the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3). Not only had they forgotten the ministry that Jesus had earlier assigned to them, but they did not understand the timing of Christ’s millennial kingdom, at which time He would rule the entire world from Jerusalem on David’s throne (Acts 1:7).
Christ had not been speaking to them in terms of a Jewish kingdom on earth, but a universal rule. The word “times” in verse 7 is a word of duration. Jesus said, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power.
Consider the fact that we are not much different than the disciples in our understanding of God’s eternal purposes. How many times have you thought the Lord would return at any time or at least wished that it would take place now. We look at the problems in our world and wonder why He has not yet come. When you look at the wars, the pandemic and other diseases, pestilences like hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes, the rioting of people who want their way instead of God’s way and the rapid increase of Islam and the accompanying terror, it seems to suggest that, “something has to give.” Immediately after Israel was back in her land and recognized again as an independent nation, many thought that Christ’s return had to be very soon.
We should understand that Jesus did not indicate that there would be no earthly kingdom. The only thing He made clear to them was the timing that God alone knows. Neither did He rebuke them because of their expectation of a future kingdom. The issue is clear when we read and study the book of Acts and remember the Great Commission. The kingdom was not and still is not the issue today. The issue then and right now is our mandate to carry out the ministry that Christ had while He was upon the earth.
Jesus was going to be leaving this group of gathered believers and yet there is one thing that is most important before He leaves. Once again, to this group of 120 believers, He repeats the Great Commission. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth (Acts 1:8).
The reason we are here today is the same reason given to God’s people in all centuries to carry out until the Lord returns — to talk about the Lord Jesus Christ and His power to save people from their sins. Do not miss the word “but” in verse 8. It indicates a strong contrast from the question they had asked. Forget about the coming earthly kingdom and do the work that He has commissioned, the work for which He created and recreated us. Thirty-nine times in one form or another, the word “witness” occurs in the book of Acts. Peter said, “We are His witnesses” (Acts 5:32). Paul repeats this in Acts 22:15 – For thou shalt be His witness unto all men. Acts 8:4-5 reveals that the early believers went everywhere talking about Jesus Christ. He was the most important thing in their lives.
What place does He have in your life today? Are you obeying the assignment given to us to carry on His ministry? How often do you talk about Jesus to others? Do you truly love Him?
THE ELECTION
Regardless of what takes place in the election tomorrow, remember that God is still on the throne and His timing for all things is perfect. Our assignment does not change regardless of the type of government God allows for any nation. Praise Him today and pray as we have been taught – Thy will be done!
[Ed. Note: Brother Stiekes wrote this piece the day before the recent election. Whether disappointed or elated about the politics, we still need to keep our eye on our task, serve our Lord with gladness, and wait for Him to settle everything when he comes. No recounts then!]
George Stiekes serves as a Lay Pastor at Bethany Bible Church in Hendersonville, NC. See here for a more complete bio of brother Stiekes extensive ministry. We republish his material by permission.
Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash