now, Lord?

When the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, "Lord, are you going to free Israel now and restore our kingdom?" (Acts 1:6)

The disciples have spent three years with Jesus, learning from him what is important to him. There is nothing more important that the Kingdom of God. Jesus explains the Kingdom. He gives many examples by teaching in parables. He lives the Kingdom life. He dies and raises from the dead, assuring the permanence of God’s Kingdom reign forever.

So, why is it still confusing? The disciples are human, that’s why. They are looking for an angle that benefits me. The idea of “me first” wasn’t invented in the 20/21st century. Every generation is the “me generation.”

“Lord, are you going to free Israel now and restore our kingdom?”

I didn’t know the disciples had their own kingdom. You would think they would be smart enough to at least say “restore your kingdom.” They show their lack of understanding of the mission of Jesus. They will understand soon enough. All of humanity has been given true freedom through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Restoration with God is available to those who connect through Jesus. Instead of a question the disciples can make a statement.

“Lord, you have freed all people, including Israel, and your Kingdom reigns forever.”

They can use a little review.

“Thy kingdom come.”
“Thy will be done.”
“On earth as it is in heaven.”