Seeing what we want to see
August 7, 2009
The life of Jesus. Read Today: Elijah discussed while descending; Matthew 17:9-13; Mark 9:9-13
While receiving council from a man of God recently we talked about how people will often look for things and see them the way they want to. For example, if I think my boss is out to get me, then I will see those things in him that help mu opinion and disregard all the rest. It does not matter that the reality is that he may be trying to help me, I see the other. This was true in Jesus time as well. The Jewish people expected the Messiah to come and it said that Elijah must come first.
Matthew 17:10-13 CEV
(10) The disciples asked Jesus, "Don't the teachers of the Law of Moses say that Elijah must come before the Messiah does?"
(11) Jesus told them, "Elijah certainly will come and get everything ready.
(12) In fact, he has already come. But the people did not recognize him and treated him just as they wanted to. They will soon make the Son of Man suffer in the same way."
(13) Then the disciples understood that Jesus was talking to them about John the Baptist.
The people had it in their hearts that Elijah's return was to be the real return of Elijah, not a person acting like Elijah.
In how much of our own lives do we sin like the Jewish people did, in wanting to see God the way that we want to see Him, and not how He is?
Read for next time: Demon is cast out of boy; Matthew 17:14-18; Mark 9:14-27; Luke 9:37-43
