Jesus made it clear that the Kingdom, which has been established in Him, is to include all people of all races, color, and creed, as indicated to us in His last words on earth prior to ascending back to the right hand of the Father.
The Gospel of Matthew concludes with Jesus informing His followers that the Kingdom is to be preached and taught in all nations: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:18-20).
The Gospel of Mark concludes in the same manner: "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned" (Mark 16:15-16).
The disciples who heard these words firsthand still did not get it, as is obvious with their words to Jesus the day of His ascension back to the Father: "So when they had come together, they asked him, 'Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?'" (Acts 1:6).
Isn't it amazing how they could have spent so much time with Jesus and still not get it? They still thought it was all about Israel—about their own race of people.
Listen to Jesus' response: "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth" (Acts 1:7-8).
It would take the indwelling Holy Spirit to break down racial barriers. After His ascension, Jesus sent His Holy Spirit to indwell citizens of His Kingdom while they are on earth. Citizens of the Kingdom will minister at the point of need, and that ministry will be directed to all races and every part of the world. In the Kingdom there is race equality.
Excerpted from the book, The Kingdom According to Jesus by Gregory A. Johnson. Copyright © by Gregory A. Johnson. All rights reserved.
Know that you are loved,
gaj
