Acts 1:6-11
Read Acts 1:6-11
Helpful Background Information:
Even after the resurrection of Jesus, the disciples were motivated by the expectation of a political and national restoration after centuries of oppression. Most Jews expected the Messiah to overthrow their oppressors and restore the glory days of David and Solomon (Isaiah 11; Amos 9:11-15). Their question showed they expected the Messiah to begin this new political kingdom immediately.
Jesus, in this passage, didn’t dismiss their desire for the kingdom. The prophets did promise a future renewal of Israel (Ezekiel 36-37; Joel 2; Isaiah 2). He did correct their timing and method, though. In the next chapter, in Acts 2, we see that Jesus first poured out His Spirit. This echoed the Old Testament visions where the Spirit brings life to dry bones (Ezekiel 37), writes God’s law on hearts (Jeremiah 31), and empowers God’s people for mission. Jesus gently shifted their focus from speculation to preparation for the Spirit’s coming at Pentecost.
Acts 1:8 deliberately mirrors prophetic expectations that Israel would become a light to the nations (Isaiah 42:6; 49:6). Jesus revealed how this will happen: His followers spreading the Gospel outward like ripples of water. From Jerusalem to Judea and Samaria to the ends of the earth. This is true restoration. God was -and is -forming a worldwide people who acknowledge Jesus as their King.
The ascension does not mean that Jesus disappeared. It was truly His coronation. In the ancient world, clouds often symbolized divine presence (Exodus 13:21; Psalm 104:3). Jesus' being taken up in a cloud signaled His entrance into His heavenly throne room. The angels’ message that He will return in the same way reinforces the Christian hope in a visible and bodily second coming. We can confidently engage in His mission on earth as the ascended King rules from heaven and works through us, His Spirit-filled people.
Reflection Questions:
The disciples wanted an immediate political restoration. Jesus gently redirected them to wait for the Spirit. Where might you need to surrender my expectations, timing, or preferred outcomes to Jesus’ wiser plan?
Jesus told His followers not to speculate, but to prepare for the coming of the Spirit. In what ways do you need to seek, welcome, give up your own desires, and/or depend on the Holy Spirit so that you can live out God’s mission today?
Jesus sends His followers out in widening circles like ripples when a stone is thrown in the water. At Crossroads, we minister in various ways to people in all of these ripples. Sometimes, He calls us to do more than one of the ripples at the same time. Where is God calling you to be a light locally, cross-culturally, and/or globally? Who or what might He be placing on your heart right now?