Matthew 17:9–13 (ESV)
The Transfiguration (Part 2)
9 And
as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.” 10 And the disciples asked him, “Then why do the scribes
say that first Elijah must come?” 11 He answered, “Elijah does come, and he will restore all things. 12 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.”13 Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them
of John the Baptist.
When did Elijah come? There is an Old Testament prophecy that says Elijah must come first before the Messiah.
Malachi 4:5–6 (ESV)
5 “Behold, I will send you Elijah
the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. 6 And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with
a decree of utter destruction.”
We see Elijah at the Transfiguration, but John the Baptist came in the spirit of Elijah. John the Baptist did
the work of the new Elijah. John prepared the way for the Messiah.
I pray: O Lord, you transfigured into your divine nature before the eyes of Peter,
James, and John. I look forward to seeing you in your divine nature. Guide me to your kingdom. Amen.