We Have Hope Because We're Already Part of God's Kingdom

Colleen Mallette explains that Jesus has left us with a job to do: building up the Kingdom of God here on earth.

After Jesus rose from the dead, Scripture tells us He visited the apostles and some other people multiple times over the course of forty days (Acts 1:3). During His last visit, right before He was about to leave them for good and ascend to the heavens to be with His Father, the apostles ask Jesus a curious question:  

“Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6) 

Why would the apostles ask this question? 

That seems like a selfish question by uncomprehending followers. They realize this may be their last time to speak to Jesus and they still don’t understand His mission or their own. They may even still be thinking Jesus is going to embody the ideal of the Davidic military Messiah who will save the Israelite chosen people from Roman oppression. Or they may have been afraid Jesus’ time on earth was about to end, and they still wanted Him to fulfill the Messiah’s promise supernaturally.  

To give the apostles some credit though, while Jesus was here on Earth He spoke extensively about God's Kingdom, making it the theme of His ministry. There are more than 110 references to that Kingdom in the four Gospels. So it would seem understandable, and not really selfish, that they would ask if He was still going to establish God’s Kingdom on earth before He leaves earth. 

What is the Kingdom of God all about?

What they didn’t seem to understand in asking this question, was the nature of this “Kingdom” on earth. It was not a supernatural or military accomplishment of suddenly bringing all the Jewish descendants of Abraham back to Jerusalem to rule the world.  It wouldn’t be restoring all the twelve tribes again, although Jesus symbolically chose twelve apostles to be His primary followers.  

What it actually was, was more amazing and astonishing had the apostles truly understood it. It was going to be these twelve men, not Jesus Himself, who would actually restore the Kingdom of Israel. When asking this question, they were expecting Jesus to accomplish the feat, but He knew THEY were the ones who would be doing it. Not with physical might, but by being themselves and spreading the Good News in Jerusalem and beyond thanks to the power of the Holy Spirit.  

For Jesus’ answer to their question was:

“It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by his own authority. But you will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1: 7-8)

Their powerful witness over the subsequent years to come would spread Jesus’ new Church that included the chosen descendants of Abraham as well as everyone else who was willing to believe their testimonies. That is how Jesus planned all along to restore Israel and build His Kingdom on earth. He jump-started it in His last three years on earth and with the miracle of His death and Resurrection, but He needed more believers who were strong enough to take His messages farther than He ever could. Any of us would bet that their mission was doomed fail — yet here we are two thousand years later still going strong! 

It's our job to spread the word about God's Kingdom 

As we await Jesus’ second coming, we too are His apostles commissioned to spread His Kingdom of believers on earth.  This kingdom of God encompasses the redemption of all humanity — that those who believe in Jesus Christ the King will attain eternal salvation. It is our duty as believers to spread Jesus’ message of hope, healing and love to as many people as possible.   

Jesus taught His disciples the prayer to the Father and to say, “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” He was indicating this belief in Him and His Father that brings their kingdom to us now. The redemption He offered is not just for heaven but for our earthly life that we may experience God’s peace: not the peace the world gives, but perfect peace.  

God’s Kingdom that we get to enjoy now isn’t perfect, like heaven, but it is filled with hope, love, mercy and kindness if we strive to live like Jesus did. He spoke and acted with compassion to everyone, despite their status, gender or skin color. Life with God at our center leads to deep joy. This joy should make us grateful Jesus left the disciples and empowered them to spread the Good News. Let us pray to the Holy Spirit to grant us His power as well to spread our joy and hope to all the world!  

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Copyright 2024 Colleen Mallette
Images: Canva