Boundaries

MORNING
Psalm 103 • Ezekiel 47:1-12 • Luke 1:1-4

EVENING
Psalm 67, 96 • Isaiah 52:7-10 • Acts 1:1-8

In today’s reading from Acts, Luke begins his book with instructions from the post-resurrection Jesus to his somewhat bewildered disciples.  Jesus has risen, and his small band wants to know what is next on the agenda.  They ask him a blatantly political question:  “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?”  These disciples, who have been through so much with Jesus are still limited in their understanding of his life-changing ministry.  Their understanding is influenced by political boundaries, by tribalism.  And we today, who stand on this side of the resurrection, are still susceptible to these limitations.  

Jesus patiently tells them that they will soon receive “power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.”  In other words, their understanding will be freed from provincial, political limitations.  They will be his witnesses not only in Jerusalem but also “in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.” Jesus’ kingdom, our kingdom, transcends political borders and cultural, ethnic, and racial distinctions.  His disciples would soon understand this and embrace Gentile as well as Jew as Jesus had taught in his parable upholding the Good Samaritan.

It is often difficult to resist the seductions of tribe, of flag, of nation-state.  They offer a sense of security.  But we on this side of the resurrection know better. 

Written by Grimsley Graham

Grimsley is a retired high school English teacher from Rogers.  He and his wife Carol have recently moved to Fayetteville.