DELIBERATELY DIVERSE | Rev. Terry Pierce
“Deliberately Diverse” represents the opinions of Taylor friends who never completely agree about anything but enjoy diverse discussions.
The Book of Acts, or The Acts of the Apostles, is a sequel to the Gospel of Luke. Likely written by Luke, a physician and companion of the Apostle Paul, it is generally dated to the years 80-90 CE or about 50 years after Jesus’ death.
It is addressed to Theophilus, which means “Lover of God.” That could be a particular person or it could be addressed to all who love God. Many argue that Luke was a Gentile follower of Christ, which would mean his are the only books in the New Testament written by a non-Jewish Christian.
It is an important reminder for us that Jesus was Jewish and his life was steeped in Jewish tradition.
The first chapter of Acts reports that after Jesus had been crucified, “he presented himself alive to (the apostles) by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during 40 days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait there for the promise of the Father” Acts 1:3b-4a, New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition.
So the apostles asked Jesus, “‘Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?’” Acts 6b, NRSVue.
That is a striking question: The kingdom of Israel was both a religious and secular kingdom and the inhabitants were looking back to what they remembered as the glory days of Israel. It was a common Jewish belief the Messiah would restore the kingdom of Israel to a predominant place in the earthly kingdoms and countries.
Jesus spoke of something different. Jesus spoke of the Kingdom of God.
The progression of Luke and Acts shows Jesus announcing the Kingdom of God had arrived in his person and ministry, describing it to the apostles and carrying the message of the Kingdom of God to the world.
The Kingdom of God that Jesus preached was not a return to past glory. It was not a restoration of wealth and power. Instead, as Jesus told the Pharisees in Luke 20-21, “The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed, nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’ For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you.”
The account of the apostles reminds me of people today who long for “the good old days.”
As the remembered glory of Israel and King David’s reign included harsh realities of war, murder and sexual impropriety, so we must be reminded that what some people today strive to return to included violence, violations of civil liberties and destruction of property and neighborhoods, including in Taylor.
We are reminded the Kingdom of God is present here and now and commands us, “To do justice, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” Micah 6:8.
Pierce is the vicar of St. James’ Episcopal Church in Taylor and can be reached by email at ministry@ stjamestaylor.org.
