Daily Reading // Matthew 17-19
(Find the daily reading on Pastor Jim’s Blog)
https://jholm5.wixsite.com/pastor-jim-blog
S // SCRIPTURE
Select a verse from today’s reading
Matthew 17:10 (NKJV) And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
Matthew 17:12 (NKJV) “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.”
O // OBSERVATION
Why did this verse get your attention? Make a simple observation from the text
The disciples had been with Jesus for a while now - about three years. They had seen Him do the miraculous and heard Him teach with authority. Now they saw Him transfigured before them.
They still didn’t have all the answers but they were learning to ask better questions. That is a mark of a good disciple!
They had heard from the teachers that Elijah would come before the Messiah. This was largely because of Malachi 4:5,6. In fact, an empty place setting is symbolically set at Passover for Elijah, expecting his return.
This is what surprises me about today’s reading: They had heard Elijah was coming since they were young boys. It was obviously in their mind since they asked this question. They had been close to Jesus. Yet, it had already happened and they missed it.
A // APPLICATION
How can I apply this to my life today?
How we can miss things that happen right in front of us? Peter was part of this trio and we know his brother, Andrew, was a disciple of John the Baptist before coming to Jesus. Jesus’ disciple John, who was here, was also probably with John the Baptist before.
The answer to their question was right under their noses the whole time.
I’ll bet once Jesus said it they all thought, “Oh yeah. Duh!” Like these disciples, we need Jesus to reveal things to us. Right now, as I sit here, there may well be things with biblical significance happening all around me and I don’t even know it.
Like these disciples: Learn to ask good questions and don’t be surprised if Jesus’ answers are closer than you think.
P // PRAYER
Express yourself in prayer
Jesus, I do not trust in my own understanding. Reveal Your truth to me. Amen.
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