Titular

10.16.14

Malachi 4.5 “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes.” God (ESV)

Elijah the Prophet, held a place of fascination and hope in the minds of the ancient Jews – he was like a superhero to them. His extraordinary miracles (in 1 and 2 Kings) displayed the power and presence of God, and the stories about Elijah and his place in Jewish culture were legendary. Elijah was a symbol to the Jews of what they wanted the most: power over their enemies.

So, it is no wonder the disciples asked Jesus, “Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” They too, looked at the personage of Elijah as one who would free the nation from the hands of their oppressors: those stinking Romans.

But Jesus answered: “Elijah does come, and he will restore all things. 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.” And a light went on in their minds: Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist. (Matthew 17.10-13) So Malachi was right all along: Elijah had to proceed the day of the Lord.

But John the Baptist wasn’t Elijah – to them. They couldn’t see John for who he was and what he did. John brought revival. John spoke of the Lord’s coming. John was Elijah in a titular sense because Elijah really didn’t represent power, he represented revival and restoration. The culture of the Jews had misunderstood who Elijah really was, and why he really came.

Amidst all the other inanities of Facebook are the ‘tests’ one can take to find out things like: what their hippie name is, or where they’re supposed to live; or what their true profession is or, or, or… One can submit to the questions, click, and get the answer: I just found out that I’m Gandalf the Wizard…or some such idiocy. John was really Elijah in a titular sense because of the calling of God on his life – he was the forerunner of Jesus, the beginner of restoration.

Which brings me to us – who are we in God’s plan? How are we to impact our world for the Kingdom? What title do we hold? What is the result of our ministry and presence in the world in which we live and minister? It’s a good question and one cannot find the answer on Facebook.

John the Baptist, always was and will be who he is. But his ministry was like that of Elijah of old and his mission was to turn the hearts of God’s people back to God in times when God was viewed as very far away and unconcerned. Jesus said, “But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased.” Do we recognize who we are and who we represent in this day and age? And why? Questions worth asking…

Father, as Malachi wrote, You are all about turning the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers; You are all about repentance and restoration of all that is right and good. Help me to live out my ministry by being who I am and who You’ve created me to be. But may my ministry have the effect You desire, and the impact in the lives of the people You’ve placed around me – amen.