Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“So when they had come together, they asked him, ‘Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?’ He replied, ‘It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority.’”
NL Daily Devotion for Tuesday, May 31, 2022
by R. M. Fergus, Clergy Stuff
So often I envision Jesus as being a little sassy and impatient with his disciples. The man has died and been raised from the dead in a completely different fulfillment of the promise of the messiah than anyone could possibly have imagined. Yet here the disciples are, standing around with the risen Christ, and falling right back into their old understanding of that promise. “Are we gonna have our old country back?” “Can we get back to the way things used to be?”
Jesus knows that nothing will ever be “back to the way things used to be.” Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection has made everything new.
But Jesus doesn’t argue with them, doesn’t explain. He just says basically, “That’s way above your pay grade. Stop worrying about it.” Then he sends them off with the statement that the Holy Spirit will come to them and they will be Jesus’ witnesses to all that has happened. In other words, “Focus, people. Forget everything you thought you knew, and be ready to share God’s truth with the world.”
It’s a good message for me when I’m overwhelmed with worry about things I have no control over. I need Jesus to look me in the eye and say, “Focus, Rebekah. This stuff is way above your pay grade.” Then I need to turn everything over and trust that I’ll know (and be equipped for) what I’m supposed to do when the time comes.
Do I sometimes get stuck wanting things ‘the way they used to be?’
