Mark 9:11-13

Passage

His disciples asked Jesus why it is that people were teaching that Elijah must come before the Messiah.  Jesus replied that Elijah does come into order to prepare the way by restoring God’s teaching.  Even so, it is said that the Son of Man (Messiah) must be treated with contempt and suffer greatly at the hands of the people.  Jesus affirms that Elijah has already come again and the people treated him as they pleased as it was written would happen.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

The disciples are still trying to make sure that they understand that Jesus is the Son of God. I find this amazing, because they just heard the Father speak from out of a cloud that Jesus is the beloved Son of God.  Where the disciples are confused is that if Jesus is the Messiah, then who prior to Jesus was Elijah that was said to come again.  The disciples are confused about how God said that He would work.  At least in this instance they do come to the source of truth, Jesus.

How does it make you feel to know that even after hearing the direct voice of God that the disciples still weren’t completely sure that they understood?  What does this teach us about God’s ability to use people who may not fully grasp what God is doing in their midst?

Second Thought:

Jesus tells us that Elijah would come to “restore things.”  I believe that what Jesus means is to set theology (teaching) on a right course.  We know that prior to Jesus John the Baptizer came.  He pointed to Jesus.  He taught sound theology, not the strict obedience to human made laws that was being passed through the Pharisees.  In this sense, Elijah absolutely did come before the Messiah!

How do you view John the Baptizer?  How do you view his teaching?  How do you view his life?

Third Thought:

Jesus also tells us that not only will the Son of Man (Messiah) suffer at the hands of the people but that Elijah come again also suffered at the hands of the people.  We know the Jesus suffered and died a horrible death on the cross.  As we read several chapters back (Mark 6), John the Baptizer died a pointless death because of some silly promise by Herod.  Here we see Jesus reaffirming that scripture is coming true in the sight of the disciples.  They might not understand it as it is happening, but they would understand it eventually.  Their level of understanding does not change the truth that it did indeed happen.

How does it make you feel to know how the world treated John the Baptizer?  How does it make you feel to know how the world treated Jesus?  What can this teach us about how the world is going to react to those who follow Jesus?  How does that make you feel?

Passage for Tomorrow: Mark 9:14-15