I'm not just sittin' by the phone waiting for Him to call!

I received this someecard from a friend.. and while he probably meant this to be sarcastic, I hope for the return of Jesus-- but until that happens, I know He is here with us. And in the time that we anticipate His return, He has tasked us with a great responsibility to build His kingdom.

Before Jesus returned to heaven, the disciples anxiously questioned Him about when He would return. He had risen from the dead and spent 40 days among them-- eating with them, letting them see Him alive-- and instructing them to do His work. But still-- they desired knowledge and security in knowing exactly when to expect His return.

{kinda like how I need to know before company arrives...}

Acts 1: 6,

'So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?"'

And Jesus responds, Acts 1:7-8,

'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."'

Jesus didn't want us to focus on when the kingdom of God would arrive-- instead, He wanted them to focus on the duty that He had given them-- focus on doing fulfilling the duty until the time arrives, whenever it arrives.

What is the duty then?

Jesus makes it clear in v.8, "you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem...and to the ends of the earth". He instructed the disciples to be witness for Christ, starting in their backyard, Jerusalem, and spreading out in concentric circles to eventually share the message of Jesus Christ to "the ends of the earth."

So while we celebrate Christ rising from the dead-- remember the duty that He calls us to here in our backyard of Washington, D.C. and to the ends of the earth in preparation for the day that God may look upon you and say (taken from Matthew: 25:23), " Well done good and faithful servant! Come and share your master's happiness!"


*part of this blog inspired by Pastor Lon Solomon's message on "Jesus' Ascension and Promised Return," December 8, 1996.