Elijah (John the Baptist) came unnoticed and misunderstood. The religious leadership had the same trouble with Jesus and his authority. They often said, "We will not have this man, Jesus, to reign over us." They preferred their traditions and their authority. The law and the prophets could be manipulated. We have the same problems today. Tradition, false doctrines and mistaken objectives prevented Jesus' acceptance as Messiah. The miracles were not enough.
Jesus told his disciples "Things have changed... I'm gonna die."
***
Ch 49: Jesus Is Questioned Regarding Elijah
Matthew 17:9-13; Mark 9:9-13
AS THEY came down from the mountain, Jesus said to the three disciples:
“Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.”
The three were greatly perplexed and asked among themselves what “risen from the dead” meant.
Then they went to Jesus and asked him:
“Why say the scribes that Elijah must first come?”
Jesus replied:
“Elijah truly shall first come, and restore all things. But I say unto you that Elijah is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.”
The disciples knew that Jesus spoke of John the Baptist.
***
Ch 50: Jesus Heals The Convulsed Child
Matthew 17:41-21; Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-42
WHEN JESUS came to the rest of his disciples, he found a great crowd gathered about them and they were being questioned by scribes. When people saw Jesus, they ran to him and greeted him.
Jesus addressed the scribes, asking:
“What question ye with them?”
A man came out of the multitude and, kneeling before Jesus, said:
“Lord, have mercy on my son; for he is epileptic, and suffereth grievously. For ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.”
Jesus replied:
“O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I suffer you? Bring him hither to me.”
When the child was brought before Jesus, the dumb spirit tore him. He fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth.
Jesus asked the father:
“How long is it ago since this came unto him?”
The father replied:
“Of a child; but if thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us.”
To the father Jesus said:
“If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”
The father of the child cried out and said tearfully:
“Lord, I believe. Help thou mine unbelief.”
The people all came running to Jesus, who rebuked the foul spirit, saying:
“Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.”
The spirit cried out, caused the child to writhe in pain, but came out of him. The child lay quietly on the ground, causing many to say:
“He is dead.”
But Jesus took him by the hand, lifted him up, and he arose.
All were amazed with the mighty power of God.
The disciples came to Jesus, saying of the dumb and deaf spirit:
“Why could not we cast him out?”
Jesus replied:
“Because of your unbelief. For verily I say unto you, ‘If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, “Remove hence to yonder place”; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.’ Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.”
***
Ch 51: Jesus Again Predicts His Death And Resurrection
Matthew 17:22, 23; Mark 9:30-32; Luke 9:43-45
AS JESUS and his disciples were passing through Galilee, Jesus said to them:
“The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men; and they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again.”
The disciples were very sorrowful and did not understand, but they were afraid to ask Jesus to explain the meaning.
