May the mumbling commence!
Many of the people of Jesus’ day thought Jesus was Elijah returned. Jesus’ disciples knew this and probably saw a great deal of validity to the thought processes that linked Jesus with Elijah. At this point in Luke’s narrative, Jesus began to draw distinctions between himself and Elijah.
As we follow along with Luke from chapter nine, verse eighteen, we see a distinction being drawn. Jesus predicted his death at the hands of the religious leaders. Jesus would not simply be lifted up in a chariot of fire like Elijah. Jesus would suffer a terrible death (Luke 9:21-27).
Then there was the transfiguration upon the mountain top. Moses and Elijah were with Jesus discussing Jesus’ upcoming departure from Jerusalem. Peter thought this combination of power would be great. “Let us set up camp,” Peter said. But the cloud descended and left only Jesus – God’s Son.
We are to listen to Jesus alone – more so than Moses or Elijah (Luke 9:28-36).
Then Jesus comes down from the mountain and stands in amazement at the lack of peoples’ faith (Luke 9:37-43).
And he goes on to predict his death a second time (Verses 43-48).
When the disciples worry about someone else doing miracles in Jesus’ name, Jesus rebukes them. Jesus is pleased when someone works in his name.
Unlike Elijah, Jesus does not believe that only he is faithful to God (Verses 49-50).
After these verses the contrast between Jesus and Elijah are most pronounced. Read from Luke chapter nine:
As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem.
When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?"
But Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they went to another village. (Verses 51-56)
Jesus refused to send down fire on the Samaritan village. He parted from the way of Elijah. When the people of Samaria went after gods other than the Lord, Elijah called down fire upon them. (See 2 Kings Chapter 1.) Jesus found another way to be true to the call of the Lord on his life. Jesus’ way opened a path for repentance for the Samaritans. Read on:
As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go."
Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."
He said to another man, "Follow me."
But the man replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father."
Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God."
Still another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family."
Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." (Verses 57-62)
When Elijah called Elisha (1 Kings 19:19ff.), Elijah allowed Elisha to return to say goodbye to his family. The call of the Lord Jesus is greater than the call of the Prophet Elijah. Which call will we answer?
Let us walk in the way of Jesus, the best way. Let us never look back. May the name of God be praised through our service to the Lord!
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
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