Elijah and John

10The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”

11Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. 12But 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.” 13Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist. (Matthew 17:10-13) 

Thoughts: Malachi 4:5 says ""Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the LORD."  There were many other hints at this in the Bible and outside of the Bible.  Jesus was saying Elijah did come.  What this also means is that the terrible day of the Lord was also coming- the day the people would be kicked out of the land completely.  The Jewish Wars began about 55 AD about 20 years after Jesus' death and resurrection and ended with a complete annihilation or expulsion by 70 AD.  The Temple- a symbol of God's presence and blessing would be destroyed.  Women and children would be killed.  It was horrific.  For Jesus Elijah came in John the Baptist- who dressed like Elijah, lived in the wilderness like Elijah, called people to repent like Elijah.  When Jesus said, "they did not recognize him but have done to him everything they wished", he was clearly pointing to John the Baptist- his cousin who baptized him.  John was arrested, and beheaded.  Jesus also knew that the authorities would arrest Him.  For Jesus our hope is not found in governments, economies, popularity, but in God.  "Our hope is built on nothing less that Jesus' blood and righteousness."  Jesus did not hope to change the world by persuading Pilate and then Caesar that they were wrong a out certain issues.  He hope to change the world by changing the hearts of others.  Political power tends to muddy things up.  Jesus avoided politics like the plagues.  He paid his taxes but did not want to legitimize the torturous reigns of Herod and the Romans.  He did not try to cause a rebellion like other did before him (Judas in Galilee for example- Acts 5:37).  Elijah and John spoke to the politicians but did not start a political party.  The message of Elijah and John is the message that is always before us- it is not about how we voted- but how we believed, talked, and lived.  

Prayer: Lord, may my hope be in you.  May my strength be found in you alone.