Week 8: Return

“Before I get back…"

Do you know this phrase? One of my first bosses used it all the time. I was working for a pool company. He would often set us up on a job in the morning and then leave for another job or supplies. As he was getting ready to leave, he always laid down the gauntlet. Before I get back, I expect you to… finish the concrete, level to gravel, get all the water pumped out, pull the raccoon out of the drain, etc. All the standard pool tasks. It was evident he had a job for us to do in his absence. When he returned, he had expectations for what should be done. “Before I get back….”

Jesus leaves his apostles and disciples in the first chapter of Acts. He ascends to the Father, as we discussed last week. Yet, before he leaves, he also gives them a job to do and the tools to do it with.

It never happened, but I always wondered what my boss would do if he came back and found me just standing there twiddling my thumbs. I can almost hear my excuses in this make-believe scenario.

"Oh… You are back earlier than I expected. I thought I had more time."

"I know you told me you wanted me to get that done, but I felt like there were some other things I wanted to do."

"I just wasn't feeling it this morning."

"Were you serious about that? I thought you were joking!"

As Jesus ascends into the heavenly places, he disappears from sight. The apostles and disciples are just standing there looking into the heavens. Suddenly, the text points out two men appear in white robes, obviously serving as messengers from God. I love what they say, "Why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."

See, Jesus had already given them the task and the tools. They are the same tasks and tools we still carry today as people of Jesus. Our job is not to stare longingly into the heavens wondering when he will return. We have a job that Jesus left for us to tackle until he returns. The boss is coming back. As we are formed into the Gospel, we participate in his return by ushering in his reign.

As you read the passage today, pay special attention to our task and our tools.

What are we supposed to be doing?

What power has God given us to accomplish this task?

How do our tasks and power relate to our transformation?