Elijah

As we carefully study what these people are saying about Jesus, we note that everything points way back to the old days. Jesus has caused them to remember things and people from the olden days.

Of particular note is that these people, whoever they are, are speaking with self-assurance and self-given authority, on who Jesus is, based on their experience, their education and their evaluation of the Man called Jesus. Let’s reason here!

Experience – They are living in the days of Jesus, but have witnessed how Jesus has used the name of Elijah, more than any other prophet. On this occasion, Jesus is speaking to the crowd about John the Baptist. You and I know that when a crowd, or crowds followed Jesus, they were people from all over the place – some near and some far – so that all kinds of people experienced Him and His teachings. He told them that all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. He who has ears to hear let him hear. Matthew 11: 14 – 15. Out of all the prophets in the olden days, Jesus called out Elijah.

At Jesus’ Transfiguration, Peter, James and John, whom Jesus took up on that high mountain with Him, were given eyes to see their Master conversing with Moses and Elijah. Again, of all the good, faithful, powerful prophets whom God sent to His people, Elijah is the one who is seen with Moses, Israel’s liberator.

His disciples, confused and not understanding what the teachers of the law are saying about Elijah coming first, Jesus responds, with these most striking words. To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands. Matthew 17: 11 – 12.

These are present experiences, where Elijah is lifted up by Jesus Himself, in their present times.

Education – They have been taught about Elijah, who is one of their great prophets. To many of them, he was their greatest prophet of olden days. Here are some convincingly striking facts about Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead.

He is the only prophet who prophesied a long famine in the land and spoke of it with such authority and control. As the LORD, the God of Israel lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word. 1 Kings 17: 1b. Here was a prophet who could speak with such boldness and knew that it was so.

He is the only prophet to be titled, Troubler of Israel. When Ahab, king of Israel, goes to meet the prophet Elijah, and he sees him, this is his first question to him. Is that you, you troubler of Israel? 1 Kings 18: 17b. Elijah was unmatched, and a force to be reckoned with.

We need to pause here and unwrap our heads from all that will entangle us and place us on other paths. What are you seeing? What are you hearing? Are you with me on these at least?

The good old days being remembered, are of a prophet whose unquestionable power, unflinching boldness and unswerving belief in his God, are staggering. Today, in their midst, is a modern day Person who, to them, is the exact likeness, image and resemblance of Prophet Elijah, in manner and performance.