Acts 1:6, Will You Succeed This Time, Jesus?

//One of the themes common to the Synoptic Gospels is how daft the original apostles were. In Mark, they never do really catch on to Jesus’ purpose.  Matthew and Luke paint a less insulting picture, though the comedy remains.

As we begin the book of Acts (which is the sequel to Luke), Jesus has just risen from the dead. The disciples, who still hope for a conquering Messiah like what the Jews had long dreamed of, ask Jesus if he is finally going to restore Israel to its rightful place as the world leader. Put bluntly, they are saying “Too bad you failed with the first attempt, Jesus; is God giving you a second shot at it?”

Jesus’ reply, in so many words, redirects the question back onto the shoulders of the disciples. It’s up to them to make the world a better place. The Holy Spirit will soon arrive to help establish the new “kingdom.” Then Jesus departs, ascending up to heaven.

So the question remains. Did Jesus succeed in restoring the kingdom to Israel? What’s your opinion?