In this passage we see two ways in which men go astray concerning the interpretation of scripture. One is an honest mistake, understandably made; the other is pure blindness that causes men to miss the clear teaching of a clear passage. Regarding the former, the disciples (and scribes) thought the passage in Malachi 4, predicting that Elijah would come before the Christ was a reference to literal Elijah. The second mistake, however, was more serious and even astonishing. The OT scriptures had plainly declared the sufferings of Jesus. Jesus Himself, only one week earlier, had plainly told the disciples that He was to suffer and die and rise again. And yet, here in this passage, as the disciples are coming down the mountain after Christ's transfiguration, catch on his phrase about rising from the dead and wonder what He means by it? What! How could they not know what He meant by it? Hadn't He very clearly explained it to them one week earlier? What gives? This is a lesson to us that once a particular notion gets into the heads of men, even Bible-reading men, it is nearly impossible to dislodge it. The disciples believed Jesus would rule a political kingdom and exalt Israel to the position of top dog once again. This is what they had heard from childhood. This is what their fathers believed. This is what their grandfather's believed. And no amount of clear teaching by the Messiah Himself could dislodge it. Isn't this also the case with us? Haven't we also imbibed many false notions that keep us from understanding clear teaching from scripture?
and the other is a more serious blindness to plain that both the disciples and John the Baptist made when they read Malachi.
Featuring a sermon puts it on the front page of the site and is the most effective way to bring this sermon to the attention of thousands including all mobile platforms + newsletter.
Text-Featuring a sermon is a less expensive way to bring this sermon to the attention of thousands on the right bar with optional newsletter inclusion. As low as $30/day.
