Sunday, February 28, 2021

The Gospel and the Kingdom - Matthew - The Conversation Down the Mountain

 

TEXT: Matthew 17:9-13 – “Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.” 10 And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”

11 Jesus answered and said to them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things. 12 But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist.”

We are going to continuing in Chapter 17 today. In this chapter, we saw yesterday that God confirms Peter’s earlier acknowledgment of the deity of Christ with the Transfiguration on the mountaintop. This of course created a series of thoughts, concerns, and questions. So today we will consider their conversation as they came down from the mountain-top.

We are first told of the Command in verse.9. Jesus told them to not share what they saw until His Resurrection. Of course, the disciples then express their Confusion, they want to know if Elijah would come before the return of the Messiah? They are getting the picture that Jesus is teaching He is the Messiah, however, it did conflict with their understanding of the Scriptures.

So, Jesus gives His Clarification of what the Scriptures were teaching. His answer was in two parts:

  • Vs. 11 – Elijah will indeed come
  • Vs. 12 – Elijah has already come

It was then that the Disciples came to an understanding in verse 13, what He was showing them. They understood that he is referring to John the Baptist.

So, how do we apply this account to ourselves today? Let me give you two quick takeaways.

  • First, we have learned that Jesus is the Beloved of the Father.
  • So, the pertinent question for you and me today is, “Who is Jesus to you?” If asked who He is, what would you answer? Do you truly understand who Jesus was and is?

 So, ponder today exactly what your answer would be. 

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