February 28, 2013
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 17:9-13
OBSERVATIONS
Peter, James and John have had a sneak peak into Jesus’ secret identity, but Jesus warns them to keep it quiet. The time is not yet right, but soon!!!
His mention of the Son of Man being raised from death, coming in His kingdom (Daniel 7:14) confuses them; isn’t Elijah supposed to come first (Malachi 4:6)?
Jesus assures them that the promised prophet did come, not literally but through John the Baptist, and the same thing happened to John that would happen to Him.
Jesus seems to be stressing how rejection and suffering are a part of the unfolding plan of salvation, that the cross must precede the crown, the gory before the glory.
People thought that Elijah’s coming would be glorious, that the Son of Man’s coming would be awesomely good; they did not understand that the day of the Lord would be a day of wailing (Amos 5:18-20), a day of justice and judgment.
Nor did they understand that it would be Jesus’ who would endure it for them!
What do you notice in this passage?
APPLICATION
The day of crucifixion was the day of the Lord’s judgment, when all hell breaks loose against God and His anointed.
We prefer to focus on Jesus’ glory, but His gory is an essential part of His message.
That is how ugly out sin is, that is how serious it is, that is what should have happened to us, but God in His mercy absorbs it for us.
Like the disciples then, I think we are still very slow to get it.
I have known Jesus all my life, and I am still only slowly getting it; and things I thought that I already got, I’m realizing I still don’t get it.
Sometimes I wonder what I actually learned in seminary.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your patience with me, and thank You for taking Yourself what I deserved. This is more amazing than I realize our appreciate.
Jesus follower
trying to find His way
Observations:
The disciples had already seen Moses and Elijah and yet this statement – Elijah. Jesus gives the answer – to restore all things. And that will be when he comes again. The restoration is happening but once again, the teachers of the law do not see. Nor did the disciples see that Christ was the Christ and that He was suffering.
Application:
‘Your Kingdom come’ is happening. Elijah has come and His Kingdom is here and growing but not completed. John prepared the Way and so too, I must prepare the Way until He comes again to receive His own. Open my eyes Lord that I may see – the working of Your hands through the people – kingdom builders – of today. Then, one day, it will appear in radiant glory, when all will see and Your will will be done for My God reigns and there is no other Way for Christ has claimed His victory in full. That day will come.
Prayer:
Help me this day Lord to be busy in Your garden – living for You in all I do.
Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.
Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.
High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.