The disciples want to know whether Jesus will now make Israel into a great and mighty kingdom (Acts 1:6).

Jesus replies that there is a time for everything. He does not deny an earthly kingdom, but first comes a time of waiting, then of witnessing in all the world and then the visible return of Jesus to this earth.

His reign begins in the place where people have decided against him (Jerusalem), then continues into the surrounding area (Judea), to the despised Samaritans and to the end of the world.

The expression “to the ends of the earth” literally means “to the uttermost parts of the earth”. The expression comes from Isaiah 49:6, where it says that the Messiah will be the light to the ends of the earth. So that means everywhere.

As a messenger of God’s kingdom, you will not be gloriously received. The original text uses the words: “You will be my martyrs” (ἔσεσθέ μοι μάρτυρες). Open resistance will accompany the bearers of the good news of reconciliation. The Holy Spirit gives us the strength to endure this tension.

Jesus goes to the heavenly Father and set free the way for the direct work of the Holy Spirit (John 16:7). Jesus also allows himself to be led by the Holy Spirit (verse 2). The Father determines the time of his return. In his earthly life, Jesus limits himself to human possibilities (Philippians 2:7) and thus shows how one can live in communion with the heavenly Father through the Holy Spirit. He only does what the Father shows him (John 8:38).

Impulse from the Ebnat-Kappel open Bible meeting, February 24