Searching for Galilee
In Acts 1:1-11, Jesus is preparing his disciples so he can return to the Father. As Jesus was leaving our world, he had some information and instructions for the disciples about the Kingdom of God. First, Jesus “told them that they were on no account to leave Jerusalem.” STAY in Jerusalem! Second, Jesus said to the disciples, you “must wait for what the father promised (the Holy Spirit).” Finally, Jesus said, “You do not get to know the timing” …of the Father’s plan. As I read the beginning of Acts, these are the 3 instructions of Jesus that stood out to me.
Don’t leave Jerusalem
Wait for the Holy Spirit
The plans are vague.
I would like to address these out of order.
“Wait!” is an instruction that I don’t like, but I don’t find much challenge in waiting. Occasionally waiting is very difficult, but usually, for me, wait means rest, shut down, take a nap. Waiting for something big, exciting, and out of my control can be more difficult. This is a big thing out of the Disciples control. They want to know, “Master, are you (FINALLY) going to restore the kingdom of Israel now?” They are waiting on an event that has been 1000’s of years in the making. I can understand the Disciples wanting to GO! ACT! REVEL IN THE CONQUERING MESSIAH! Waiting can be hard.
Vague plans are my favorite kind. Not a problem for me. I would prefer not to have a plan. However, if I see this challenge through the eyes of my wife, Lisa, I can feel the pain. Lisa thrives when she can look forward to something. If we get to do something with friends this weekend, then the sooner in the week that Lisa knows the plan, the longer that she can enjoy the anticipation of fun with friends. She is a planner. I love that she draws me into fun times that I otherwise would miss out on, but I am more likely to feel dread at a full schedule than joy at a plan. The disciples want to know the plan. If not now, when? When will the Kingdom of God be? Jesus says, ‘you do not get to know the Father’s plan.’
Don’t Leave Jerusalem, seems like a weird instruction. Why? Mathew Henry’s bible commentary speaks to the possible reason for the instruction. Many of the disciples are not from Jerusalem. These guys are a bunch of fishermen from Galilee. Jerusalem is strange and dangerous. Strangers in strange place; a place with scary memories. We know they already left once to go back to what they knew. Jesus found them fishing on the beach after his resurrection. For many of the disciples there is less comfort in Jerusalem than back home. They are notorious in Jerusalem. They could be anonymous and safe in Galilee. Don’t leave Jerusalem could mean, “Stay in the danger. Stay in the discomfort.”
Vague plans and waiting might not bother me too much, but remaining in danger and discomfort contradicts the core of my being. When it hurts, I want to stop. When it’s dangerous and I’m afraid, I run away. My mom taught me long ago, when there is trouble you remove yourself from it. Danger is bad! Discomfort requires an aspirin! I’m the 1970’s kid who saw the film strip about kidnapping in kindergarten and was afraid to walk to the neighbor’s house until I was in middle school.
Why would Jesus instruct the disciples to stay in a place of danger and discomfort? Maybe because he knows that these feelings and emotions keep us in a relationship of dependence. I’ve heard this before. I have always struggled with this idea that God (I interpret narcissistically) wants us to be dependent on him. I’m not schooled enough in theology to disagree with this thought, but I think the idea of dependence is more nuanced. The idea of our God requiring us to be in a life of danger and discomfort solely for the purpose of making us dependent on him seems counter to a God that gives us free will. I wonder if the nuance is that God called the disciples (and calls the rest of us) into a life of danger and discomfort, because it is simply the reality. Practically, God is saying, ‘you can try and search for safety and comfort in Galilee, but you will not find it.’ My child, ‘you can go to the end of the earth looking for things that will fulfill you, bring you comfort, bring you safety, but apart from the Holy Spirit, you will NEVER find fulfillment.’ The grass is not greener in Galilee.
I try so many ways to find peace. I search for tricks and tools that will bring comfort and safety. Can I find peace with money, power, possessions, etc…? NOPE! Not even good things will bring security. Family, a calling, friends, marriage, achievement, or purpose might be positive, but they will fail me (Or more likely I will fail them.) I can run faster, be a better husband, father, friend, pursue my mission, but ultimately these things will fall short of fulfillment.
Jesus knows that the disciples will search for safety and comfort. They will want to return to Galilee. Jesus also knows that only waiting on the Holy Spirit will scratch this itch.