Thoughts for the Day

And the disciples asked Jesus, ‘Why, then, do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?’ He replied, ‘Elijah is indeed coming and will restore all things; but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but they did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man is about to suffer at their hands.’ Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them about John the Baptist.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

We saw yesterday how God teaches His people in different ways, and the ultimate teacher is Jesus, using stories, practical examples, and miracles. Just prior to today's reading Jesus has been teaching the people by questioning them about John the Baptist (Matthew 11.7-11), now he returns to the same subject with the twelve disciples. The Jews held a firm belief that before the Messiah came the prophet Elijah would return to prepare the way for God's Anointed. The prophet Malachi said "Lo, I will send you the prophet Elijah before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes" (4.5). Still, today, when Jews celebrate the Passover Feast an empty chair is left for Elijah.

A prophet is someone who forthtells truth from God. They must be close to God to bring a message from Him to His people, and they must have courage to speak that message. Jesus tells his disciples that John is the messenger come to announce the Messiah's return - he is Elijah! The people have long thought that Elijah would come in power like an avenging fire to destroy everything and make it fit for the arrival of the Messiah, who would also come in power. But Jesus declares that Elijah has already come and like Jesus (the Son of Man) he has chosen the way of suffering and sacrificial love.

This is the message we take to our world - that God loves us so much that He suffered for us.

Lord Jesus Christ,
You taught Your disciples
that the way to people's hearts
is through love, not power,
and that both the forerunner
and the Messiah would sacrifice
their lives for God's people.
Until the disciples understood this
they could not take the good news
to the world.
We thank you for their faithfulness
and for all who have taught us
the value of true love.
Amen.