Saturday, March 20, 2010
Acts 1:6-8 So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" 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."
THEY GOT IT: THE DISCIPLES OF JESUS
Forgiveness for all our sins comes through faith in Jesus. Faith is not knowing every teaching of Christ. Faith is not understanding everything we read in the Bible. Faith is trust, simple trust that Jesus is the God-Man who sacrificed Himself to take our sins away.
From the above reading (which takes place AFTER Jesus' resurrection) it seems that the disciples were still confused about Jesus' Kingdom. They were still hoping, at least in part, for a Jewish run, earthly empire. With characteristic grace, Jesus bypasses their misunderstanding and says, "Don't worry about that right now, the Holy Spirit will make this clear soon enough."
Like the first disciples, we get it. We trust in Jesus. But also like them, our understanding of Jesus isn't perfect. Just think of how often our faith clashes with our actions, or our thoughts. Think of how frequently we forget to speak to God--either in thanks, or when we're in need.
Thankfully, Jesus gets it. I mean, He understands us. He understands us from being human. As God He knows our every hope, thought and fear. To Him our minds must look like a horrible stew of good and bad, right and wrong. But even so, He loves us. That we know Him at all is sufficient proof of that fact.
God, help me to know You better. Help me get it.
"Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent" (John 17:3).
