They answering said, John the Baptist, but some say Elias, and others say that one of the old prophets is risen again. Luke 9:19
The disciples, as evidenced by Peter’s response in the next verse, knew that Jesus was the Christ of God. But they also knew that the people round about them did not share that knowledge. And it must have bothered them. They knew that Jesus began His public ministry before John’s was ended by Herod, and that Jesus was baptized by John, and could not possibly be a return of John. They also knew that Jesus was greater than any of the old prophets, even Elijah. They even knew that Jesus had come to replace the old things, including the prophets. We know that too, and are living in the good of it today. And it should bother us that those around us are totally ignorant of Who Jesus really is.
While the route to God’s Salvation must lead us to the place of repentance, we know that John’s message of repentance was not enough to save. But much of Christendom today sees no further than acts of repentance or deeds of penance. People seem to think that God will look with favour on their sacrifices, good works, and religious deeds. These people need the Gospel.
Elijah was a man who faced God’s opponents fearlessly and meted out judgment appropriately. He exercised a flair for dramatically challenging and defeating the false prophets. He reminds us today of those who are taken up with the so-called charismatic gifts. These folks think that great displays of healings and speaking in tongues and uncontrolled gestures are evidence of the presence of God. These folks live on emotion and hype, know nothing of faith in Christ, and need the Gospel.
The old prophets were faithful in their day. But their mission was to point forward to One who was to come. Those who suspected Jesus of being one of those old prophets were living in the past, in the ordinances and stipulations that were all fulfilled and rendered meaningless when the One of whom they spoke arrived. Those who place their trust in the law’s observance and religion’s rituals are deluded and without hope; they need the Gospel.
So many of those around us today are unaware of who Jesus really is. We can introduce them to Jesus by living for Him. And we can be faithful in presenting and supporting the Gospel. -Jim MacIntosh