Let the Word Guide...
Matthew 17:9-13
9 As they came down the mountain, Yeshua ordered them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” 10 The talmidim (disciples/students) asked him, “Then why do the Torah-teachers say that Eliyahu (Elijah) must come first?” 11 He answered, “On the one hand, Eliyahu is coming and will restore all things; 12 on the other hand, I tell you that Eliyahu has come already, and people did not recognize him but did whatever they pleased to him. In the same way, the Son of Man too is about to suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the talmidim understood that he was talking to them about Yochanan the Immerser.
The Jews have held to a belief that Elijah will return back to the earth before the Messiah comes. This is why there are references along the way to people saying that Jesus is Elijah. This is also why at Passover the Jews have a place setting for Elijah. They are anticipating his arrival and then they will know that the Messiah is coming.
As I am writing this I am finding that there is a huge study I could do on this concept to understand more in depth why the Jews hold to this belief. If I can find the time I will definitely spend time researching this.
In this passage, the disciples are still "reeling" from the fact that they saw Jesus on the mountain with Moses and Elijah. Jesus had told them they cannot tell others what they saw. Then, when Jesus tells them that Elijah has already come, they finally made the connect that John the Baptist represented Elijah.
All of these pieces are to help the disciples put together that He is the Son of God and to watch carefully. The "secrets" of the Word were to be kept for Adonai's timing of revealing things. We are blessed to have them written down for our review. The disciples had to ponder everything in their hearts until the moment came.
Be thankful today that we have a written Word to study. Be thankful that we can ASK questions and study history to have a better understanding of His Truth.
God has always made a way. He will continue to make a way. We just need to continue letting His Word guide us. The disciples had Him with them. We have His Words and His Spirit.
Love and blessings,
Rose
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