Religious experts getting it wrong?

PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 17:9-13

What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?

“Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him.” (Matthew 17:12)
Before the Messiah would come, the teachers of the law expected Elijah (Malachi 4:5).
Jesus says he did come, but the teachers of the law did not recognize him.
The same thing happens with Jesus: “In the same way the Son of Man…” Matthew 17:12)
Their views on the bible didn’t help the religious leaders understand what God is doing.
This is alarming for us today as we try to understand what the bible is telling us.
All of us think that we understand the bible and Jesus, but do we?
If the majority ‘church’ of Jesus day could miss the truth, what about us?
My point is not to dismantle everything we believe, or throw it all out.
But it is humbling to think that we might not recognize Jesus at work either.
What strikes me about Christians today is how absolutely certain we are we’re right.
I’m not talking about humble faith, but arrogant confidence in how we see things.
Over time the Lord has humbled my self-confidence, and increased my Jesus-confidence.
The only things I’m convinced of for sure are: I do not understand, and…
Jesus, and not my understanding of Jesus, is my only hope!
PRAYER
Lord, there are many things I am obliviously wrong about, yet certain I am right. Help me to trust you, and not my doctrines, beliefs or opinions.

3 Comments

  1. The people did not recognize John the Baptist and killed him. The people did not recognize Jesus and killed Him. Time and time again, God is at work among His wayward people but they do not see His presence nor His work among the people. He continue to work through the presence of His Spirit but do I have the eyes that see Him at work? Open the eyes of my heart Lord so that I may see You at work in this Your world.

    Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
    Open the eyes of my heart
    I want to see You
    I want to see You

    To see You high and lifted up
    Shinin’ in the light of Your glory
    Pour out Your power and love
    As we sing holy, holy, holy

  2. I think we are not meant to understand everything in this life. God knows my future. He sees the whole picture of my life while I only see a portion. I need to stop asking “Why?” and trust that God will use my circumstances to make me into the person He intended me to be. Lord, help me to keep trusting you in all things.

  3. It takes eyes of faith – by it we see the connections throughout the scriptures – the events portrayed that point to John the Baptist to Jesus to the crucifixion. The experts knew the scriptures but did not connect – but some did see especially later – when their eyes were opened. Just like the disciples eyes were opened and they realized that yes that John the Baptist was the second Elijah that we to come first. I feel so blessed when the HS opens my eyes and I see the connections – my faith is strengthened – I am blessed. It makes me want to share yet I know to really appreciate it one needs to have eyes of faith. I thank God each time I see it happening when people have their eyes opened and – like the disciples here!

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