PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Mark 9:9-13
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things.” (Mark 9:12)
The prophet Malachi says Elijah will come before the dreadful day of the Lord.
“I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents.” (Malachi 4:5-6)
John the Baptist was the Elijah who turned hearts back (Matthew 11:14, Luke 1:17).
The key word is ‘turn’, which means a change in direction (ie repent).
Sin turns our hearts away from God and others, it divides families and societies.
John calls all people to repent (turn), to see how sin is breaking down their lives.
This is how he prepared the way for the messiah, so that Jesus could help them.
Until we see how sin ruins our relationships, we will not be able to see our need for Jesus.
In the wilderness we face our brokenness, and there the John (the Spirit) calls us to repent.
John does not fully restore all things, but resets/redirects the heart to be restored.
The word for restore in v.12 means to ‘set straight’ – to make straight the way for the Lord.
Are there misdirected loves or desires in you that are keeping you from receiving Jesus’s help?
Does John (the Spirit) need to straighten out some things in you, to make you more receptive?
PRAYER
Lord, there are still misdirected desires and motives in me messing me up. Continue John’s work of setting my heart straight by your Spirit, so I can receive your healing, restoring grace.
I’ve driven a number of rural countrysides where there are no signs to tell you which way to go. You are very dependent on asking for directions from people that you meet. You also have to learn to ask the right ways – because there are sometimes various ways to go – some more efficient than others and some just walking trails – important to know if you driving a vehicle. Jesus helped the disciples to see the signs – even so it was hard for them to understand the ‘way’ that Jesus was going. Help me Lord to see your way and live your way! Help me to turn from my own ways to yours!
Lord keep me from seeds of doubt that may form, even if your glory is right before me. Help me understand better what you want for me.
Jesus tells what was to happen and yet they did not understand. Restoration needs to take place that His kingdom is restored and in that restoration there will be pain. Not all hearts will turn to Jesus. May I be Spirit Led that I may be an instrument of His peace.
Make me a channel of Your peace
Where there is hatred, let me bring Your love
Where there is injury, Your pardon Lord
And where there’s doubt, true faith in You
Make me a channel of Your peace
Where there’s despair in life, let me bring hope
Where there is darkness, only light
And where there’s sadness, ever joy
Oh Master, grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love with all my soul
Make me a channel of Your peace
It is pardoning that we are pardoned
In giving to all men that we receive
And in dying that we’re born to eternal life