“But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands” (Matthew 17:12 ESV)
This conversation took place as Jesus and His inner circle, Peter, James, and John, descended from the Mount of Transfiguration. Having just seen the literal Elijah standing with Jesus in glory, the disciples were understandably confused about the scribal teaching that Elijah must come before the Messiah (Malachi 4:5-6). Jesus clarified that John the Baptist had already appeared in the “spirit and power” of Elijah (Luke 1:17) to act as His herald (Matt. 11:14).
However, Jesus highlighted a tragic irony: the religious establishment did not recognize John’s divine authority and allowed him to be executed. While some commentators believe John fulfilled Malachi’s prophecy completely, the phrasing in verse 11 suggests a more complex reality. Jesus used the future tense, “Elijah does come, and he will restore all things,” to indicate a restoration that was still yet to happen. This “restoration” carries the weight of returning something to its original, intended state. Following a “both/and” view, it appears that while John fulfilled the role spiritually for the First Coming, another Elijah (perhaps one of the two witnesses in Revelation 11) will come to physically restore Israel before the Second Coming.
We live on the other side of Christ’s first coming, yet we face the same danger as that earlier generation, namely, missing what God is doing right in front of us. We do not want to be people who miss or resist His work because it does not fit our expectations. Instead, we want spiritual eyes to see and ears to hear. Whether God’s restoring work comes quietly through a voice in the wilderness or powerfully in days to come, we want to recognize it and join Him. Lord, keep us from missing what You’re doing and what You want to do through us. We may not be sure of how many “Elijahs” will appear, but we can be sure that Your Word will be fulfilled and that Your Son is coming again to make all things new.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we ask that You give us the discernment to see Your hand at work. Forgive us for the times we have been blind or deaf to Your Word. Grant us the wisdom to recognize Your plan as it unfolds and the courage to follow where You lead. In Jesus’ name, amen.