There is a well-known Chinese idiom, Dong Sang Lee Mong (동상이몽), which translates to “sleeping in the same bed, but dreaming different dreams.” It refers to people who stay in the exact same place yet harbor completely different thoughts and aims.
Looking at today’s passage, we discover that the disciples—who followed Jesus for nearly three years, witnessed miraculous signs, and listened directly to His teachings—were essentially dreaming a different dream from their Master. Even after sharing every aspect of daily life with Him, they failed to grasp His heart, His vision, and His true purpose.
1. The Worldly Ambition of the Disciples
What were the disciples continuously fixated on? Their singular, overwhelming dream was national independence—liberation from the oppressive rule of the Roman Empire. Just as the Korean people longed for independence during 36 years of Japanese colonial rule, the disciples longed for political freedom from Rome.
However, their motivation was not purely selfless. They anticipated that once Israel gained independence, they would secure high positions of political power and earthly authority.
John 6:14–15: After the miracle of feeding the five thousand, the crowds wanted to make Jesus king by force. Seeing their worldly motives, Jesus withdrew to the mountain by Himself to pray.
Mark 10:35–37: James and John came to Jesus asking, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” They sought to leverage their relationship with Christ to satisfy personal ambition rather than to serve.
Even when Jesus instructed them to buy a sword (Luke 22:36)—a figurative warning to prepare spiritually for upcoming trials and persecution—the disciples mistakenly took it literally and produced two physical swords. Jesus replied, “It is enough,” expressing a tragic irony over their spiritual misunderstanding. Later, in the Garden of Gethsemane, Peter used one of those swords to cut off the ear of Malchus, the high priest’s servant. Jesus immediately rebuked him: “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword.” Christ never intended to build the Kingdom of God through physical violence or political revolution.
2. Correcting the Misguided Focus
Even after the Resurrection, during the 40 days Jesus spent instructing them on the Kingdom of God, the disciples’ primary concern remained unchanged.
In verse 6, they asked: “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”
They were still viewing Jesus through a narrow, political lens. Yet, Jesus had already given them clear instructions (v. 4–5): stay in Jerusalem and wait for the promise of the Father—the baptism of the Holy Spirit foretold in Joel 2:28–29 (“I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh…”).
Baptism of the Holy Spirit: A definitive, once-for-all experience of regeneration—being born again by grace through faith.
Fullness of the Holy Spirit: An ongoing, repeatable experience of spiritual empowerment and daily sanctification. While the Holy Spirit permanently indwells believers in the New Covenant era, we must continually seek His filling to walk in daily victory, praise, and holiness.
In verses 7–8, Jesus gently redirects their focus:
“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.”
Jesus shifted their focus from external, national politics to internal, spiritual transformation:
The Disciples’ Dream: A temporary, earthly nation (Israel), self-elevation, and political liberty.
The Lord’s Vision: An eternal, spiritual Kingdom (the Kingdom of God), global salvation, and transformed witnesses.
3. Aligning Our Desires with the Lord’s Purpose
The power promised by Jesus is not political authority, but divine strength—the supernatural capacity to overcome hardship, to live selflessly for others, and to share the Gospel boldness regardless of circumstances.
We must ask ourselves today: Are our desires aligned with the Lord’s primary concern?
While we often pray for material prosperity, health, and personal peace, God’s central desire for every believer is to be filled with the Holy Spirit and to serve as faithful witnesses of Jesus Christ. As Philippians 2:13 reminds us, God works in us to desire and to act according to His good purpose.
Conclusion & Prayer
Do not be consumed by temporary worries. As Jesus reminded us in Luke 12:29–31: “Do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink… But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.”
Let us seek God’s presence through worship, prayer, and Word-centered living. As we align our hearts with His passion for lost souls, He will fulfill His vision through us and bless every aspect of our lives.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we pray that Your Kingdom comes in our hearts and communities today. Grant us the fullness of Your Holy Spirit so that we may overcome worldly distractions and faithfully fulfill the mission of being Your witnesses to the ends of the earth. Align our personal desires with Your eternal vision. In Jesus’ name, Amen
by Rev.Dr. Jaewoong Chang
