Jesus' Elijah - John the Baptist - Mark 9:11-13
Jesus' Elijah - John the Baptist - Mark 9:11-13
By Pastor Lee Hemen
June 13, 2010 AM
The Twilight series of novels and movies have intrigued folks, making them into a multimillion-dollar profitable business. I believe it is because of the mysterious nature of the main characters involved. People love enigmatic characters.
There are enigmatic characters throughout the Bible such as Deborah the female judge who roused the Israelite people from their lethargy to throw off the yoke of subjugation by Jabin, the king of Hazor. I also enjoy Josiah who stands as an amazing king of the line of David for unswerving loyalty to Jehovah. He repaired the temple of God, discovered a scroll of the law written by Moses. However, at the height of his reign he tries to stop the military advance of Pharaoh-Necho II against Assyria and dies doing so. Then there is John the Baptist. Born six months before his cousin Jesus, John became “the voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’” (John 1:23) He is seen as Jesus’ Elijah, this John the Baptizer. Let’s look at John and discover who he is…
READ: Mark 9:11-13
Elijah was also one of those interesting characters of the Bible that is unforgettable. He was at times irascible and then petulant. He could be victoriously confrontational and then utterly dejected, running for his life. He was prepared to meet head-on a queen that was willing to murder or manipulate anyone who got in her way. He makes a mockery of the priests of Baal and then whines when a Mafia-like hit is put on him by Jezebel. Elijah was seen by the Jews as one of the major forces of change and calling Israel as a nation back to God. This is why many in Jesus’ day thought that John was Elijah reincarnated. Therefore, let’s look at…
I. John, the people’s Elijah!
1. John was Elijah trying to turn a nation! After the transfiguration, the disciples ask Jesus, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?” They had just seen Elijah and wondered about this prophecy. Jesus’ answer relates that he viewed John the Baptist in Elijah’s role. John stood up to a petty queen and her ungodly behavior and lost his head over Herodias’ adultery: “For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his Brother Philip's wife, whom he had married. For John had been saying to Herod, ‘It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.’ So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him.” (Mark 6:17-19) John also stood as a divining rod for the nation whose spiritual leadership was corrupt. He mocked the Pharisees and Sadducees, calling them “You brood of vipers!” (Matthew 3:7) However, John was also a messenger to the common folk: “And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.” (Mark 1:4-5) Malachi had foretold, “‘See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me…. I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse.’” (Malachi 3:1; 4:5) This is why some wondered if John was Elijah and asked him, “Are you Elijah?” I believe because of the corruption both spiritually and nationally, the people wanted John to be Elijah. John was there to “make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” (Luke 1:17) In humility, he tried to tell them that he was not the Messiah, Elijah, or even a prophet. (John 1:21) He had an Elijah-type ministry. He appeared on the scene suddenly and even dressed like Elijah, wearing “clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist.” (Mark 1:6) Like Elijah, John fulfilled for God the mantle that the Israelites needed. Sadly, they did not listen. The nation was not turned by John’s message and they suffered because of their rejection of Jesus. God would “strike the land with a curse.” The temple was destroyed, Jerusalem razed, and the people placed in exile. Jesus responds to his disciple’s question by telling them, “But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him.” (Mark 9:13) Jesus knew that John was the people’s Elijah.
EXAMPLE: We live in a soft-sell society. Whether it is political pundits or product promoters, they all carefully craft words that are easy on the listener’s ears. While this may be a great strategy for garnering votes or selling toothpaste, it is a lousy way to proclaim the gospel. Christians do not need to go all “John the Baptist” on others, but we do not need to so soften the message of redemption that we make it wishy-washy to its listeners. Paul warns, “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” (2 Timothy 4:3-4) Some believe this has occurred. John the Baptist was a fiery orator because the people of Israel needed to be spiritually awakened. Notice that John came to his own people. Those who thought they were already spiritually saved by God, not the “goyim” of the day, the non-Jew. Perhaps today’s church needs to stop selling the gospel like it is some prepackaged formula and begin to strike a spiritual match under the wet rotting timber of the church? Perhaps we need that kind of Elijah-type of John the Baptist today.
Can you imagine if someone like John the Baptist came today and preached the way John did? Of course, no one will because John’s message and ministry is finished and fulfilled through Jesus Christ. There will be no other John the Baptist that will do as he did. There does not need to be and we know why. Jesus’ words in Mark’s gospel give us the reason. We discover that John came for a special purpose. Therefore, let’s look at…
II. John, Jesus’ Elijah!
1. John was Elijah in fulfilling the task of God! This is why Jesus would remark, “And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.” (Matthew 11:14) John was not a reincarnation of Elijah, as some falsely thought, because there is no such thing, rather John was the last of the Old Testament prophets. Jesus would say that “I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.” (Matthew 11:11-13) John was the last of the Old Testament prophets, because now the gospel, written through Jesus’ blood, would finalize “the Prophets and the Law.” John was Jesus’ Elijah, and this was why he remarked, “To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected?” (v. 12) God’s herald, John had come, just as Elijah had been called by God. When Jesus came, God’s purpose was fulfilled. And now those who hear the gospel are accountable for what they hear. John would cry, “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” (Matthew 3:8-11) Jesus came preaching the good news of God’s kingdom and John’s ministry was finished. In fact, we read that, “They came to John and said to him, ‘Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan--the one you testified about--well, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.’ To this John replied, ‘A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, “I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.” The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less…. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him.’” (John 3:26-30, 36) Have you heeded the words of John, Jesus’ Elijah?
EXAMPLE: Some endlessly speculate that perhaps the two witnesses written about in Revelation 11:1-19 that one of them might be John the Baptist. Frankly, I do not think so because of what Scripture does and does not say concerning them. Now it could be someone God calls on to be like John the Baptist in that he would take a stand against the ungodliness of the nations. However, nowhere does it say either of these witnesses is John the Baptist, nor Elijah for that matter. Sure, it describes some very powerful things these two men can do, even some Elijah type stuff, but it does not give us their names, nationalities, ages, or anything else about them. In fact, some have speculated that it could refer to both the witnesses of the Old and New Testaments. After all they are described as “the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth.” (Revelation 11:4) Will there be another John the Baptist? No. Just like, there was not another Elijah in John the Baptist. Can there be those who are raised up by God to witness as John did? The answer is sure, but not for the same reason, because John fulfilled his Godly purpose. John pointed to Jesus and we would do well to listen to his words.
Conclusion:
We discovered two purposes for John the Baptist: 1) John, the people’s Elijah, and 2) John, Jesus Elijah.
----
Pastor Lee Hemen has been the outspoken pastor of the same church for 25 years in Vancouver, WA. He writes regularly on spirituality and conservative causes and maintains several web blogs. This article is copyrighted © 2010 by Lee Hemen and is the sole property of Lee Hemen, and may not be used unless you quote the entire article and have my permission. You now have my permission…
By Pastor Lee Hemen
June 13, 2010 AM
The Twilight series of novels and movies have intrigued folks, making them into a multimillion-dollar profitable business. I believe it is because of the mysterious nature of the main characters involved. People love enigmatic characters.
There are enigmatic characters throughout the Bible such as Deborah the female judge who roused the Israelite people from their lethargy to throw off the yoke of subjugation by Jabin, the king of Hazor. I also enjoy Josiah who stands as an amazing king of the line of David for unswerving loyalty to Jehovah. He repaired the temple of God, discovered a scroll of the law written by Moses. However, at the height of his reign he tries to stop the military advance of Pharaoh-Necho II against Assyria and dies doing so. Then there is John the Baptist. Born six months before his cousin Jesus, John became “the voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’” (John 1:23) He is seen as Jesus’ Elijah, this John the Baptizer. Let’s look at John and discover who he is…
READ: Mark 9:11-13
Elijah was also one of those interesting characters of the Bible that is unforgettable. He was at times irascible and then petulant. He could be victoriously confrontational and then utterly dejected, running for his life. He was prepared to meet head-on a queen that was willing to murder or manipulate anyone who got in her way. He makes a mockery of the priests of Baal and then whines when a Mafia-like hit is put on him by Jezebel. Elijah was seen by the Jews as one of the major forces of change and calling Israel as a nation back to God. This is why many in Jesus’ day thought that John was Elijah reincarnated. Therefore, let’s look at…
I. John, the people’s Elijah!
1. John was Elijah trying to turn a nation! After the transfiguration, the disciples ask Jesus, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?” They had just seen Elijah and wondered about this prophecy. Jesus’ answer relates that he viewed John the Baptist in Elijah’s role. John stood up to a petty queen and her ungodly behavior and lost his head over Herodias’ adultery: “For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his Brother Philip's wife, whom he had married. For John had been saying to Herod, ‘It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.’ So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him.” (Mark 6:17-19) John also stood as a divining rod for the nation whose spiritual leadership was corrupt. He mocked the Pharisees and Sadducees, calling them “You brood of vipers!” (Matthew 3:7) However, John was also a messenger to the common folk: “And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.” (Mark 1:4-5) Malachi had foretold, “‘See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me…. I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse.’” (Malachi 3:1; 4:5) This is why some wondered if John was Elijah and asked him, “Are you Elijah?” I believe because of the corruption both spiritually and nationally, the people wanted John to be Elijah. John was there to “make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” (Luke 1:17) In humility, he tried to tell them that he was not the Messiah, Elijah, or even a prophet. (John 1:21) He had an Elijah-type ministry. He appeared on the scene suddenly and even dressed like Elijah, wearing “clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist.” (Mark 1:6) Like Elijah, John fulfilled for God the mantle that the Israelites needed. Sadly, they did not listen. The nation was not turned by John’s message and they suffered because of their rejection of Jesus. God would “strike the land with a curse.” The temple was destroyed, Jerusalem razed, and the people placed in exile. Jesus responds to his disciple’s question by telling them, “But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him.” (Mark 9:13) Jesus knew that John was the people’s Elijah.
EXAMPLE: We live in a soft-sell society. Whether it is political pundits or product promoters, they all carefully craft words that are easy on the listener’s ears. While this may be a great strategy for garnering votes or selling toothpaste, it is a lousy way to proclaim the gospel. Christians do not need to go all “John the Baptist” on others, but we do not need to so soften the message of redemption that we make it wishy-washy to its listeners. Paul warns, “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” (2 Timothy 4:3-4) Some believe this has occurred. John the Baptist was a fiery orator because the people of Israel needed to be spiritually awakened. Notice that John came to his own people. Those who thought they were already spiritually saved by God, not the “goyim” of the day, the non-Jew. Perhaps today’s church needs to stop selling the gospel like it is some prepackaged formula and begin to strike a spiritual match under the wet rotting timber of the church? Perhaps we need that kind of Elijah-type of John the Baptist today.
Can you imagine if someone like John the Baptist came today and preached the way John did? Of course, no one will because John’s message and ministry is finished and fulfilled through Jesus Christ. There will be no other John the Baptist that will do as he did. There does not need to be and we know why. Jesus’ words in Mark’s gospel give us the reason. We discover that John came for a special purpose. Therefore, let’s look at…
II. John, Jesus’ Elijah!
1. John was Elijah in fulfilling the task of God! This is why Jesus would remark, “And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.” (Matthew 11:14) John was not a reincarnation of Elijah, as some falsely thought, because there is no such thing, rather John was the last of the Old Testament prophets. Jesus would say that “I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.” (Matthew 11:11-13) John was the last of the Old Testament prophets, because now the gospel, written through Jesus’ blood, would finalize “the Prophets and the Law.” John was Jesus’ Elijah, and this was why he remarked, “To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected?” (v. 12) God’s herald, John had come, just as Elijah had been called by God. When Jesus came, God’s purpose was fulfilled. And now those who hear the gospel are accountable for what they hear. John would cry, “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” (Matthew 3:8-11) Jesus came preaching the good news of God’s kingdom and John’s ministry was finished. In fact, we read that, “They came to John and said to him, ‘Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan--the one you testified about--well, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.’ To this John replied, ‘A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, “I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.” The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less…. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him.’” (John 3:26-30, 36) Have you heeded the words of John, Jesus’ Elijah?
EXAMPLE: Some endlessly speculate that perhaps the two witnesses written about in Revelation 11:1-19 that one of them might be John the Baptist. Frankly, I do not think so because of what Scripture does and does not say concerning them. Now it could be someone God calls on to be like John the Baptist in that he would take a stand against the ungodliness of the nations. However, nowhere does it say either of these witnesses is John the Baptist, nor Elijah for that matter. Sure, it describes some very powerful things these two men can do, even some Elijah type stuff, but it does not give us their names, nationalities, ages, or anything else about them. In fact, some have speculated that it could refer to both the witnesses of the Old and New Testaments. After all they are described as “the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth.” (Revelation 11:4) Will there be another John the Baptist? No. Just like, there was not another Elijah in John the Baptist. Can there be those who are raised up by God to witness as John did? The answer is sure, but not for the same reason, because John fulfilled his Godly purpose. John pointed to Jesus and we would do well to listen to his words.
Conclusion:
We discovered two purposes for John the Baptist: 1) John, the people’s Elijah, and 2) John, Jesus Elijah.
----
Pastor Lee Hemen has been the outspoken pastor of the same church for 25 years in Vancouver, WA. He writes regularly on spirituality and conservative causes and maintains several web blogs. This article is copyrighted © 2010 by Lee Hemen and is the sole property of Lee Hemen, and may not be used unless you quote the entire article and have my permission. You now have my permission…
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