Wednesday — Not a National Restoration
Acts 1:6–8
“Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?”
Isaiah 49:6
“I will give you as a light to the nations…”
The Question We Would Have Asked
Even after the resurrection, the disciples ask: “Is now the time?”
Translation: “Is this when we finally win?”
I appreciate their honesty. They still imagined a political reset. A national comeback.
Jesus gently redirects them. “You will receive power… and you will be my witnesses… to the ends of the earth.”
In other words: the wins gonna be Bigger than you think. Sounds familiar.
Expanding the Borders
God’s promise to Israel was never meant to stop with Israel. It was always outward-facing.
Sometimes I forget that. It’s easy to pray for “our people.” Our town. Our country.
But the kingdom doesn’t stop at county lines.
Jesus didn’t rise for one nation and that stretches me. It might stretch you too.
A Larger Allegiance
When we reduce Christianity to national identity, we shrink something cosmic. The kingdom includes languages we don’t speak. Cultures we don’t understand. Worship styles that might make us uncomfortable.
And that’s okay.
When we reduce faith to a national identity, we shrink something cosmic. There is a beautiful duality in a Kingdom that stretches us beyond the borders we tried to build.
It's a bit ironic - Don't you think?
(ok - who now has that song stuck in their head! hee hee).
Prayer
God of every nation,
Keep my faith from becoming small.
Expand my heart to match Your mission.
Amen.
Acts 1:6–8
“Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?”
Isaiah 49:6
“I will give you as a light to the nations…”
The Question We Would Have Asked
Even after the resurrection, the disciples ask: “Is now the time?”
Translation: “Is this when we finally win?”
I appreciate their honesty. They still imagined a political reset. A national comeback.
Jesus gently redirects them. “You will receive power… and you will be my witnesses… to the ends of the earth.”
In other words: the wins gonna be Bigger than you think. Sounds familiar.
Expanding the Borders
God’s promise to Israel was never meant to stop with Israel. It was always outward-facing.
Sometimes I forget that. It’s easy to pray for “our people.” Our town. Our country.
But the kingdom doesn’t stop at county lines.
Jesus didn’t rise for one nation and that stretches me. It might stretch you too.
A Larger Allegiance
When we reduce Christianity to national identity, we shrink something cosmic. The kingdom includes languages we don’t speak. Cultures we don’t understand. Worship styles that might make us uncomfortable.
And that’s okay.
When we reduce faith to a national identity, we shrink something cosmic. There is a beautiful duality in a Kingdom that stretches us beyond the borders we tried to build.
It's a bit ironic - Don't you think?
(ok - who now has that song stuck in their head! hee hee).
Prayer
God of every nation,
Keep my faith from becoming small.
Expand my heart to match Your mission.
Amen.
Posted in Easter Season 2026
No Comments