Houston McKelvey: We can learn lessons for today’s global crisis from Acts of the Apostles

Tomorrow, the Biblical focus in most churches around the world will include part of the first chapter of the Acts of the Apostles.
By The Newsroom
Published 23rd May 2020, 07:09 BST
Pacemaker Press 03-10-2010: Veterans and the families of those who served in the Burma campaigns of World War II will attend a service in St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast.During the service the Standard of the Belfast Branch of the Burma Star Association will be received by the Dean, Very Rev Dr Houston McKelvey and laid up for safekeeping by Jimmy Tweedie . Picture By: Arthur Allison.Pacemaker Press 03-10-2010: Veterans and the families of those who served in the Burma campaigns of World War II will attend a service in St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast.During the service the Standard of the Belfast Branch of the Burma Star Association will be received by the Dean, Very Rev Dr Houston McKelvey and laid up for safekeeping by Jimmy Tweedie . Picture By: Arthur Allison.
Pacemaker Press 03-10-2010: Veterans and the families of those who served in the Burma campaigns of World War II will attend a service in St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast.During the service the Standard of the Belfast Branch of the Burma Star Association will be received by the Dean, Very Rev Dr Houston McKelvey and laid up for safekeeping by Jimmy Tweedie . Picture By: Arthur Allison.

Jesus has been resurrected and the disciples know that life will never be the same again. But they still can’t wrap their minds around what that really means. In our reading, they ask Jesus: “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?”

Throughout the gospels, the disciples consistently expect Jesus to operate as a human king would - throw off the oppressive Roman Empire, seize power, and use force to bring about God’s Kingdom. We see this question again as the disciples want to know when their world will radically change because of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

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As our world is turned upside down by the Covid-19 virus, perhaps we are also wondering when God is going to restore our world. The suffering, anxiety, fear, and grief in our world right now is immense. Lord, is this the time?

Instead of throwing off the Roman Empire, Jesus leaves the disciples, promising them the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. After a quick pep-talk from two angels who find the disciples staring into the clouds after Jesus ascends, the disciples return to Jerusalem. They spend time quarantined together, praying and waiting for God. They do not know what is coming, but they are open to God’s movement in their lives.

Perhaps in the midst of praying and waiting, the disciples also felt alone after losing Jesus in the flesh again. Maybe we also feel alone, yearning to be able to see and touch Jesus, especially during this global pandemic.

We might not be able to physically attend church right now, but the Spirit has not left us. We are never alone, and the Spirit is at work in our world and in our lives, moving forward the work of healing and restoration of God’s Kingdom.

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The gospel reading from John, chapter 16, recalls the intensely personal and emotional prayer. Jesus prays for the disciples and he prays for us. Jesus prayed for all of God’s people before His death and resurrection. We can hear Jesus’ angst and love for all of us in this prayer.

In this prayer, Jesus says: “And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3).

What if we meditated on this today? We can get bogged down in all of the unknowns around eternal life and heaven. But ultimately, eternal life is being in relationship with God and Jesus Christ.

Related topics:IsraelJerusalem