Niels Prip – Blog

In the story of the transfiguration in Matthew 17, there is an interesting question that the disciples ask Jesus. In verse 10 they ask, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”. Then Jesus tells them in verse 12, “But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him whatever they wished. In the same way, the Son of Man will suffer at their hands”. There is much to meditate on here, and there is much that can be said about the whole incident. But I want to focus on the fact that “they did not recognize him”.

All the Jews were waiting for the appearance of Elijah. It seems that not only did the scribes not know that John the Baptist was Elijah, but neither did the disciples. John was dead at this time, and Jesus had to tell them that John the Baptist was Elijah. What is it about the things of God that can be hidden from us in plain sight? All the Jews were waiting for Elijah and the Messiah, yet most did not recognize them. How does this translate to modern times? What are we not seeing? Are we waiting for events to happen based on our understanding of scriptures and current teachings? What if we are at risk of not seeing rightly and do not recognize what God is doing?

Even after the resurrection, when Jesus appeared for 40 days to the disciples and others, they did not recognize Him.  We see it in Luke 24 on the road to Emmaus, they thought He just another traveler. We see it John 20 at the tomb when Mary thought that Jesus was a gardener or something. We see it in John 21 at the sea when the disciples were fishing and saw Him on the shore. They did not recognize Him until Jesus opened their eyes. There is a mystery about this, 1 Corinthians 13:12 “For now we see in a mirror dimly but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I shall know fully just as I also have been fully known”. All of God’s plans are not reveled to us, we only “know in part”.

God spoke to Moses face to face, but to the prophets He spoke in riddles (Numbers 12). In the New Testament we see Jesus speaking in riddles and parables, even the disciples at times had to go and ask Jesus in private what He was actually saying. Before the Ascension, the disciples asked if He was going to at this time restore Israel, Jesus told them “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority” (Acts 1:7).

I love this quote by Matthew Poole- How dull the best of men are to apprehend spiritual mysteries, which are above the reach of our reason!

In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, verses 1:16-18 he writes, “I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints”. Also in Psalm 119:18 it says, “Open my eyes, that I may behold Wonderful things from Thy law”.

We need to stay in communion with God, that eyes of our heart will stay enlightened. Let us remain humble and dependent on Him, there is much that is hidden from us. May God open the eyes of our heart and understanding as we continue to seek Him, and recognize His Hand.

“Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven”