To be sure, Elijah comes

To be sure, Elijah comes

Scripture:-

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”

Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist. Matthew 17:9-13

Observation:-

Filled with awe, the disciples must have been very excited as they came down the mountain, ready to tell their friends the awesome event they had witnessed. Knowing this, the Lord proceeds to instruct them to keep this great experience to themselves until the Lord had been raised from the dead.

Then, the disciples ask the Lord a question which has been bothering them. “If you are the promised Messiah, why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?” What was this prophecy about Elijah coming first all about? To understand this better, we need to go to the last book of the Old Testament, Malachi, who completely his prophecy by stating “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”  Based on this, the teachers of the law concluded that Elijah would typically descend back to earth in the same way that he left, on chariots of fire, before the great and dreadful day of the Lord. Using this reference, they were trying to convince Jesus’ disciples that He could not be the Messiah because Elijah had not returned yet. What these teachers failed to understand however, was that the day of the Lord refers to the Lord’s second coming when He will indeed appear in the skies and bring about His judgment on all the nations.

In his answer to this question from his disciples, the Lord explains three points. Firstly, He affirms Malachi’s prophecy that Elijah will certainly come and will restore all things. What is the precise nature of this restoration? In Malachi, the prophet speaks of the coming Elijah’s unique ministry to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the children to their fathers, failing which He will strike the land with a curse. Secondly, the Lord speaks of Elijah having already come and having evil men do to him everything they wished – a clear reference to John the Baptist’s suffering and death. In Luke 1:17, the angel Gabriel in His message to Zacharias speaks of how his son will go forth in the spirit and power of Elijah and among other things, turn the hearts of the fathers to their children”. So John the Baptist did have an important role in fulfilling this prophecy, although not much is mentioned in the Scripture about John advocating closer family ties among the people of Israel. Popular belief is that Elijah will return again before the day of the Lord as one of the Two Witnesses mentioned in the book of Revelation. It is perhaps in those last days, that we will fully see John’s role then in calling for the healing of family relationships between children and parents. In today’s age, the family unit has been attacked like never before, and broken homes are rife across the nations, and children rebelling against their parents

Finally, the Lord also reaffirms, that He too will likewise suffer like John the Baptist.

Application:

Consider how the Lord instructed his disciples not to speak of the Transfiguration until the right time. There is a proper timing and place for different things and we need to seek the Lord’s will as to the right place and time to speak of certain things.

Remember the importance of restoration of family relationships in the Lord’s eyes. Family has always been God’s idea and is in fact the way that he chose to help us understand His loving relationship with His Son. The Lord put such a high value on family relationships that He promises long life to those who will honor their parents. Let us pray for the unity of the respective family units where He has placed us. How blessed it is when brothers and sisters, parents and children dwell together in unity.

Remember that just as John the Baptist was persecuted followed by our Lord Jesus, so too, we who follow Him may also be persecuted, especially in the last days. Let us pray for courage and strength to stand firm, and be loyal to the Lord before men, no matter the cost.

Prayer:-

We praise thee, Heavenly Lord, for the Great and Mighty Lord that You are. Your ways are higher than our ways. Your thoughts are higher than our thoughts. Let us submit our plans, and our thoughts to You. Teach us to follow Your will and Your timing. We praise thee, Heavenly Father, for the beauty of family relationships, which You created and blessed us with. Let there be unity and love in my family I pray. Let there be peace and forgiveness, patience and love. Be the Lord of our family, Lord Jesus. We submit our families to You. Make us better, more loving fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters in You.

May our hearts be ever loyal to You, O Lord. Help us be loyal and true, trusting in You in all things. Let us be ever faithful, no matter what the cost, for You O Lord hold the keys of eternal life. May Your name be praised forever, O Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.