“So when they had come together, they asked him, ‘Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?’ He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.’” Acts 1:6–8
What is the first thing you think of when you hear the word “kingdom”? Castles? Crowns? Knights in shining armor?
Living under the rule of the powerful, oppressive Romans, Jesus’ disciples naturally thought of political power. They waited eagerly for the Messiah to come and do many amazing things, including helping them reclaim their land as God had promised.
So when the disciples asked Jesus if the time had arrived for him to “restore the kingdom to Israel,” they were thinking more about kicking out the Romans and less about what Jesus had in mind.
But Jesus had a much different idea in mind. Jesus’ kingdom is not about swords, guns, or huge armies that fight epic battles. It prevails simply wherever Jesus is ruling and reigning in the hearts of his people. That is true power. That is the kingdom of God.
Read
- Why did Jesus say that his kingdom is “not of this world”?
- What does it mean that Jesus’ kingdom will one day “come”?
Prayer
Read the Lord’s Prayer (Matt. 6:9–13) out loud as a group (and try changing up the tone/pace if you’re used to the rote recitation!), making sure to focus on the portion that says, “Your kingdom come, your will be done.”
This devotion is adapted from the Acts Study Guide: Chapters 1–5 resource.
