Are We There Yet?

The disciples asked him, "Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?" - Acts 1:6

I recently went on a trip to Gettysburg for a continuing education event and class reunion. It was fun--except for the long drive (8 hours). Kinda reminded me of our marathon trips up north from the Carolinas, back when I was a camp director. Those were not fun! Especially with Erik in the back seat chiming in regularly with that age old refrain, "Are we there yet?"

Basically that's what the disciples were asking Jesus, as he prepared to ascend to the Father. They had been traveling with Jesus for three years. Through good times and bad, over hill and dale. They'd heard much talk about the kingdom and its nearness. They were eager for it--longing for it. So they ask, "Are we there yet?"

Jesus reply is somewhat equal to "yes--and no." The kingdom has been restored to Israel because Jesus is here, and no, not yet because he's at the Father's right hand and hasn't yet returned. The kingdom is ours now, because Jesus' promise of it in the future is so sure and certain.

For us, this means several things. First and foremost--we are people of the kingdom--now and always. But there's always an element of being not quite there before the second coming--of falling short of the wonders of God's peaceable kingdom. There's always work to do to continue to reflect the glory of that promise and commission Jesus made at his ascension.

Are we there yet? Yes--Christ died for us. But is a way "the journey is our home." We are a peripatetic people, wandering Arimeans who seek understanding and speak gospel. We're not there yet-but we are.