What to do while waiting
So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?” He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts of the Apostles 1:6-8 NLT
Read Time: 10 mins, 42 secs
To understand the emotional weight behind this discourse, you have to think about it from the disciples' perspective. The children of Israel had experienced slavery in Egypt and then oppression at the hands of the Moabites, Philistines, Ammonites, Assyrians, and others. They then went through exile in Babylon, Persian rule, Greek persecution, and finally Roman occupation. There weren’t many times in the lives of the Israelites that were considered free and peaceful. In various ways, for over a thousand years, they were an oppressed, impoverished, overpowered, and insulted people.
Their story was problem after problem and heartbreak after heartbreak. They had experienced physical, emotional, spiritual, cultural, and economic setbacks whose effects lasted for decades, and they had been patiently waiting for the promised Savior to come rescue them from their spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional bondage. They longed for a day of no more tears and no more fears. Can you sympathize with their pain and desire for salvation? They hoped for a day when the promise that Abraham’s descendants would be the head and not the tail would feel like it came to pass. So the disciples excitedly ask Jesus, is today the day!? Is today when you’ll make all things new, all paths straight, and rescue us from the pain we’ve known for generations!?
For thousands of years, it was prophesied that the Messiah, an anointed liberator and redeemer, would soon come to rescue His people. The people had long awaited someone to be a better Moses to lead them out of oppression. They’d prayed for a better Aaron to intercede for them. They believed that God would bring about a better David who would rule over them with love and power. And as students of the Torah, the disciples would have been more than aware of who those scriptural prophecies pointed to.
Micah 5:2 would remind us that He’d be a ruler from Bethlehem. Isaiah 7:14 predicted that a present God would be born of a virgin girl and dwell among the people. In 2 Samuel 7, David is told that God will give one of his offspring a strong kingdom that lasts forever. Jeremiah echoes the same promise in chapter 23 of his book. Isaiah 9 says that this Messiah would be a light in the darkness of Galilee that fills a place of despair with gladness. Isaiah 61 argues that this anointed one would bring good news to the poor, comfort the brokenhearted, and proclaim that captives be released. Psalm 78 tells us that His instruction would come through parabables while Zachariah 9 tells us that our righteous and victorious King would come humbly riding on a donkey.
Psalm 41 says that a close friend who shared meals with Him would betray Him, and Zechariah 11:13 tells us that the Lord would only be valued at 30 coins. Jesus quotes Psalm 22 on the cross, which talks about His hands and feet being pierced, Him being mocked and insulted, and lots being cast for His clothes.
Zechariah 12 offers crucifixion imagery as it says that the Lord will pour out grace and prayer on the family of David and people of Jerusalem as they look on Him whom they have pierced and bitterly mourn for Him as they would an only son. In Psalm 10, the Psalm Peter quotes a chapter later while preaching on Pentecost, we get a prophecy of resurrection. Daniel even has a prophecy that predicts when He would come!
Isaiah 53 may be the most eye-opening as it says that the Messiah would be despised, rejected, oppressed, and treated harshly. He wouldn’t deceive anyone or do any wrong, but would be treated like a criminal. He would face an unjust trial and be condemned, but remain silent in the face of controversy. He would die without descendants, be killed in the prime of His life, and be buried in a rich man’s tomb. Maybe you need verse 5 to jog your memory of the text. This book, written 700 years before Jesus was born, says that He would be wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities. It says that the chastisement of our peace would be upon him; yet by His stripes we are healed.
Because of the nearly 300 prophecies about the coming Christ, the disciples were understandably excited! They expected an end to their oppression. They expected their mourning to be turned to dancing and their sorrow to be turned to joy. They looked joyfully in expectation of a judgment that would punish their persecutors and liberate them from their oppression. They thought that maybe it would be the time for Jesus to finally free them from the trials and tribulations of earth and take over!
Many of us are asking the same thing. We see prophecies fulfilled and know the second coming is soon. We’ve cried out for peace in the midst of our anxiety and wondered when God would hear and heal us. We've seen and felt abuse, abandonment, and affliction, and wondered when God was going to make things right. We’ve seen the news and prayed that God would just come back and take us home. We’re too asking, is today the day? You promised a heavenly home for me. You promised to wipe away the tears. Is today the day?
But Jesus puts a damper on the disciples' excitement and some of ours. Yes, He promises to come and rescue us. Yes, He has gone to prepare a place for us so that where He is, we may be also. Yes, He who shall come will come. But Jesus’s response here is interesting.
Instead of explaining when He will ease all their pain, He echoes His earlier statement about no man knowing the day or hour, because while we know that He is coming, when He is coming was never meant to be the focus. Instead, we are to focus on what we’re called to do while waiting. Jesus seemingly brushes off their questions on when and focuses instead on what they should be doing until. He focuses on witnessing intentionally instead of waiting idly.
Jesus goes on to remind them of their call in the meantime. When they ask about judgment, He essentially says, “Don't worry about that, but when the Spirit comes, you’ll receive power and be My witnesses.” He’s like a teacher getting His class back on subject. “Remember the Spirit I talked about?” He puts their attention back on to the promised power they'd receive when the Holy Spirit came and the mandate they were called to carry out. They’re called to be witnesses, powered by the Holy Spirit, and telling people about Him everywhere. They’re called to prioritize the infilling of the same prophesied power that raised Christ from the dead. And then go. This echoes the great commission to go out into all nations, baptizing and teaching all the things Christ taught, with the reminder that He will be with us always.
So what does our work of witnessing while waiting look like?
The Work of Witnessing.
Our role as believers in this is not to be God’s lawyers, simply winning arguments about God’s true character. Jesus called His followers to be witnesses, people who, through experience, have proof that what God says is true. We were called to experience His goodness in totality so that we can go into our world and invite others to partake as one would invite others to their favorite restaurant. To witness is to be a mouthpiece of what you experienced. You spend one-third of your life at work. Do your coworkers see something different about you that would prompt them to ask how they can have what you have? Are you a billboard that speaks to Jesus’s character and ability so that others feel safe and motivated to try Him for themselves?
We’re in the middle of a cosmic court case. It's akin to a defamation lawsuit where the devil is trying to claim that God isn't as good, trustworthy, or as loving as He claims to be. Humanity is making a judgment as to whether they will trust what God says about Himself or trust the devil’s argument, leading them to lean unto their own understanding as Eve did in the garden. The devil knows that if he can scare or deceive people out of putting their faith in Jesus because they don't believe they're safe to, he can have us miss out on the victory that has already been purchased for us. Your job is to help prove God is safe by being a character witness. People should feel comfortable with the idea of God and drawn to Him because of you. You, as someone they can trust, are to be proof that they can trust Him. That’s what it means to witness.
Witness While Worried.
But still. This question of when Jesus will come still doesn't feel answered to you. You get it. We’re called to witness. We've heard it all before, but why? Is Jesus just neglecting the concerns, desires, fears, and questions we have surrounding His coming? To be honest, the second coming isn't as exciting for all of us. Some of us are worried while waiting. Are we just left in the dark?
I don't believe Jesus is ignoring the disciples' concerns in this moment. I believe Jesus is actually giving us the answer to the deeper question many of us don't even recognize we’re asking in this moment. He’s giving us the solution to the issue many of us feel but can't yet verbalize. Maybe reminding us of the Spirit and our mandate to witness is answering the question more than we know. To recognize the blessing here, we need to locate which camp we find ourselves in (and many of us can relate to more than just one of these categories).
The first group I want to address is the Escape Artists. You, like the disciples, have been through real pain, and you don't want to suffer any more. That's why the coming of Jesus gives you mixed feelings because you want to “escape” to heaven, but are afraid of the challenges and tribulations that may come before His triumphant entry. Here's the hope Jesus wants you to focus on while waiting. His power means His presence. If He promised that the Holy Spirit would come, you have an assurance that you will have comfort along the way. Instead of being anxious about whether or not you'll survive physically or emotionally, find assurance in the idea that God is with you now!
Maybe you aren't an escape artist, but you belong in the F.O.M.O. group. They have a fear of missing out (F.O.M.O) on graduation, marriage, kids, and the dreams they've had since they were little. They don't really wanna say it out loud, but Jesus coming messes up their plan. They aren't like the escape artist who wanna get out. They're typically eager to get into the life they’ve prepared for. They want to live life first, but the assurance comes when we recognize that a life dedicated to mission gives us more than a life simply chasing milestones. The Bible says to seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things will be added. The people worried about Jesus’ coming because they think they're missing out on fun, achievements, love, or success on earth, are being reminded through this promise of the Spirit and call to ministry that they can have a taste of heaven on earth if they commit themselves to God while they wait. A year committed to God will result in more of what your soul is searching for than 10 years of trying to do it on your own. My hunch is that if you are afraid of missing out on earth, you haven't fully committed to your call on earth. The Greek word for witness is martyr, someone who died for what they believe. You have to give yourself fully to this in order to receive what God has for you. It's like basketball, you can't be in bounds and out of bounds at the same time. Go all in, and it will be worth it. You're afraid Jesus will interrupt your life, but He is inviting you into a bigger and better one. Do you trust Him?
Maybe you belong in the group that is simply Scared. You are worried about when Jesus will come because you don't think you’re ready. But Jesus is answering your anxiety by redirecting your focus. Paul says that the Spirit is essentially the down payment, assurance, seal, or sign of your salvation. Go to 2 Corinthians 1:21-22, 5:5, and Ephesians 1:13-14. Jesus is reminding us that the Spirit isn't earned, it's given. If you are scared that judgment is to accuse instead of acquitting you, Jesus knows that you need a reminder of the work of the Spirit. Jesus is saying, you may be worried about when I’ll come, but don't do that. Just remember the work of the Spirit. It’s a reminder that you’re covered and sealed!
The Holy Spirit is a reminder that because Jesus is on your side, judgment is a positive, not a negative. But if you needed further reminding, He says, go witness! Why? Because telling others the good news forces you to remember it. When you see Him work in the life of a broken person, you'll be reminded of what He can do for you! So get out there! Don't be anxious, be assured. Don't be worried, be a witness!
Being reminded of how good, loving, kind, and faithful God is will make you wanna see Him sooner! So what do you do while waiting? Witness! Don't just praise God that you have an ark of safety; invite others in!
Walking While Waiting.
Real quick. I have to tell you a story. Houston airport workers discovered something interesting. They'd get a lot of complaints from people saying they waited too long at baggage claim. They moved stuff around and cut the wait time to 8 minutes, but they still got complaints. So someone had a crazy idea. They said, how about we put the plane on the opposite side of the airport so that it takes longer to get to baggage claim. Then, we get their bags ready while they're walking to baggage claim instead of while they're standing there waiting. And I can imagine someone said its so crazy it just might work. So they tried. Same amount of total time, but one passive and one active, and it worked. Complaints fell to almost zero. Why? People would rather walk with purpose than wait with uncertainty. Could it be that Jesus knew that simply waiting for Him to come back would drive us crazy? We gotta do something in the meantime. Instead of focusing on when He will come, focus on what you should do in the meantime. Witness. Give your life to living and telling others about the good news of Jesus.
Questions to consider:
Have you ever been anxious about judgment or the second coming? Why and how can the gospel bring peace?
What type of waiter are you, and what is God asking you to trust Him with in the meantime?
Have the prophecies of God brought about more fear or faith in your life? How can remembering that prophecies are designed to remind you that a good and personal God is in control give you peace when you see problems?
What mindset can you adopt to go from worrying while you wait to witnessing while you wait?
Have you ever been preoccupied with your rescue/salvation without thinking of extending it to others?
