Let The Reign Begin
Commentary
The Reign of Christ has begun, even though it may not be immediately apparent to the world at large. In these three scriptures, some basic questions are addressed. In this passage in Acts Jesus addresses the concern that many Christians make today — when will these things take place — which translates in the minds of many as “When will Jesus return?” This is irrelevant. It will all happen. The timing belongs to God, the apostles are told. Get to work!
In Luke the risen Jesus once again (as he had with the two disciples on the Road to Emmaus, and with the apostles earlier on the walk to Jerusalem) clarifies that the salvation history is outlined in the Hebrew scriptures, and that we are witnesses to these things. As before — get to work and spread the Word. And both these passages culminate in the Ascension of Jesus into heaven where the reign of Christ begins.
In the Ephesian passage the Apostle Paul affirms that the risen and ruling Jesus reigns now, that he rules in majesty with the result that we who believe live fuller lives, real life.
Acts 1:1-11
Barking Up the Wrong Tree: In some sports there is a clock and in some there is a finish line. Baseball has a finish line — 27 outs, and it ain’t over till it’s over. With the exception of a possible rain out, there’s no use stalling. Get out there and play.
In basketball and football, on the other hand, there’s a clock that can be manipulated, stalled, and most of all, watched. How much time is left? If we have a lead, can we run out the lock and end the game?
Of course, when Luke wrote this second portion of his great work to the venerable Theophilus — Luke/Acts provides around a fourth of the entire New Testament — our sporting events were not on the mind of the Evangelist nor the apostles themselves. But people, including those apostles, were very much aware of a clock. Luke is the only evangelist to tell us that Jesus was with his friends for forty days from the Passover — and his death — until he ascended into heaven. Those forty days call to mind the forty days Moses spent upon Mount Sinai, the forty years the people spent in the wilderness, and the forty days Jesus fasted prior to the Temptation.,
But now Jesus is leaving them and they want the answer to a clock question — “"Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?" (1:6) But that’s not for them to know. They’re in a finish-line sport, not a clocked sport. And indeed, while they are still staring up into heaven where Jesus has disappeared they are scolded by two angels (or at least two folks in white robes) scold them for failing to do what Jesus told them to do. Jesus will return the same way he departed but no time is given. It’s time to go to work. Apostle, after all, refers to an envoy who’s been sent out. They’re being sent out.
Some Christians spend a lot of time thinking, or teaching, or preaching about the return of Jesus, and what signs indicate that it is happening soon. But while we are assured that Jesus is returning, Jesus himself warned us not to be fooled into thinking we could figure this out. (see Luke 21:5-19). If you do so, you’re barking up the wrong tree.
Ephesians 1:15-23
Victory Parade: One should not think that just because Jesus ascended into heaven he is somehow out of the ballgame. In this passage, the Apostle Paul affirms that the Risen and Ruling Jesus reigns now, that he rules in majesty with the result that we who believe live fuller lives, real life.
Roman Emperors returned as conquerors to the so-called Eternal City, with their defeated foes in tow as well as the treasures confiscated from conquered countries and whatever else might be displayed to demonstrate the power and might of Rome. Victory parades would be staged to dramatize the imperial power. Gifts would be made of food, drink, and shows so that the populace could celebrate with the conquering hero.
This first chapter of Ephesians is a victory parade. Listen to some of this language of this section:
“glorious inheritance”
“immeasurable greatness of his power”
“the working of his great power”
“God put this power to work in Christ”
“far above all rule and authority and power and dominion”
‘above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come”
“he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.”
This language is the language of Christ working in the heavenly regions and upon the earth, and we are part of all of that. This is not only spiritual victory, but victory in the realms in which we live!
Luke 24:44-53
Witnesses To These Things: Jesus repeats what he told the two disciples on the road to Emmaus — that you’ll find the proof and prophecy of what was to happen, the death, resurrection, and reign of Christ in the Hebrew scriptures. And their minds were opened to the plain sense. That’s something we do as well in Bible Study, Sunday School, and sermons, demonstrating that the Messiah is not a conqueror in the secular sense, but a suffering servant in whose name we are to proclaim repentance and the forgiveness of sins. This message is for everyone, and we are the witnesses to these things, inheritors from the first apostles of the testimony that gives life.
In 24:49 the phrase translated “And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised…” ignores the pun upon the name apostle. The word apostle means to be sent out, as an envoy. Jesus uses the word edzapostello, “I will apostle out” what was promised by the Father, the gift of the Holy Spirit. And that gift of the Holy Spirit will result in a joyous sending out by the eleven and the one to be added to their number.
So, we see in Luke the risen Jesus clarifies salvation history, which reminds us we are witnesses to these things, and makes us part of that continuing history as we are put to work and sent out to spread the word.
In Luke the risen Jesus once again (as he had with the two disciples on the Road to Emmaus, and with the apostles earlier on the walk to Jerusalem) clarifies that the salvation history is outlined in the Hebrew scriptures, and that we are witnesses to these things. As before — get to work and spread the Word. And both these passages culminate in the Ascension of Jesus into heaven where the reign of Christ begins.
In the Ephesian passage the Apostle Paul affirms that the risen and ruling Jesus reigns now, that he rules in majesty with the result that we who believe live fuller lives, real life.
Acts 1:1-11
Barking Up the Wrong Tree: In some sports there is a clock and in some there is a finish line. Baseball has a finish line — 27 outs, and it ain’t over till it’s over. With the exception of a possible rain out, there’s no use stalling. Get out there and play.
In basketball and football, on the other hand, there’s a clock that can be manipulated, stalled, and most of all, watched. How much time is left? If we have a lead, can we run out the lock and end the game?
Of course, when Luke wrote this second portion of his great work to the venerable Theophilus — Luke/Acts provides around a fourth of the entire New Testament — our sporting events were not on the mind of the Evangelist nor the apostles themselves. But people, including those apostles, were very much aware of a clock. Luke is the only evangelist to tell us that Jesus was with his friends for forty days from the Passover — and his death — until he ascended into heaven. Those forty days call to mind the forty days Moses spent upon Mount Sinai, the forty years the people spent in the wilderness, and the forty days Jesus fasted prior to the Temptation.,
But now Jesus is leaving them and they want the answer to a clock question — “"Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?" (1:6) But that’s not for them to know. They’re in a finish-line sport, not a clocked sport. And indeed, while they are still staring up into heaven where Jesus has disappeared they are scolded by two angels (or at least two folks in white robes) scold them for failing to do what Jesus told them to do. Jesus will return the same way he departed but no time is given. It’s time to go to work. Apostle, after all, refers to an envoy who’s been sent out. They’re being sent out.
Some Christians spend a lot of time thinking, or teaching, or preaching about the return of Jesus, and what signs indicate that it is happening soon. But while we are assured that Jesus is returning, Jesus himself warned us not to be fooled into thinking we could figure this out. (see Luke 21:5-19). If you do so, you’re barking up the wrong tree.
Ephesians 1:15-23
Victory Parade: One should not think that just because Jesus ascended into heaven he is somehow out of the ballgame. In this passage, the Apostle Paul affirms that the Risen and Ruling Jesus reigns now, that he rules in majesty with the result that we who believe live fuller lives, real life.
Roman Emperors returned as conquerors to the so-called Eternal City, with their defeated foes in tow as well as the treasures confiscated from conquered countries and whatever else might be displayed to demonstrate the power and might of Rome. Victory parades would be staged to dramatize the imperial power. Gifts would be made of food, drink, and shows so that the populace could celebrate with the conquering hero.
This first chapter of Ephesians is a victory parade. Listen to some of this language of this section:
“glorious inheritance”
“immeasurable greatness of his power”
“the working of his great power”
“God put this power to work in Christ”
“far above all rule and authority and power and dominion”
‘above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come”
“he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.”
This language is the language of Christ working in the heavenly regions and upon the earth, and we are part of all of that. This is not only spiritual victory, but victory in the realms in which we live!
Luke 24:44-53
Witnesses To These Things: Jesus repeats what he told the two disciples on the road to Emmaus — that you’ll find the proof and prophecy of what was to happen, the death, resurrection, and reign of Christ in the Hebrew scriptures. And their minds were opened to the plain sense. That’s something we do as well in Bible Study, Sunday School, and sermons, demonstrating that the Messiah is not a conqueror in the secular sense, but a suffering servant in whose name we are to proclaim repentance and the forgiveness of sins. This message is for everyone, and we are the witnesses to these things, inheritors from the first apostles of the testimony that gives life.
In 24:49 the phrase translated “And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised…” ignores the pun upon the name apostle. The word apostle means to be sent out, as an envoy. Jesus uses the word edzapostello, “I will apostle out” what was promised by the Father, the gift of the Holy Spirit. And that gift of the Holy Spirit will result in a joyous sending out by the eleven and the one to be added to their number.
So, we see in Luke the risen Jesus clarifies salvation history, which reminds us we are witnesses to these things, and makes us part of that continuing history as we are put to work and sent out to spread the word.
