Use these for group work, or to assist your personal reflection.
- Look up the passages of scripture mentioned, about ‘Elijah’ and ‘the prophet’, and try to understand why they were so important to those who questioned John the Baptist.
- What does this passage tell us about John and about Jesus?
- Discuss the importance of this text in determining the nature of John the Baptist’s ministry and role in God’s salvation plan?
Jesus, stand amongst Your people with power and authority. Dispel the powers of darkness that attempt to disrupt the light You would shed on the lives of your servants, and save us from every work of the enemy. This we ask through our Saviour Jesus, who by His death and Resurrection, overcame death and hell. Alleluia! AMEN
Topis covered by this text
- The figure of Elijah and the ‘forerunner’
- The figure of the ‘prophet’ in the writings of Moses
- The figure of the Servant in the writings of Isaiah
Personal comments by author:
I have always wondered why John the Baptist did not wish to be identified with Elijah, but as soon as you look at things from his perspective, it is obvious. If Elijah had responded positively to any of these questions, they would have distracted his inquisitors from Jesus completely. John knew that the Messiah would come and make His own way through the perilous world of religious intrigue in which he found himself.
Ideas for exploring discipleship
- Reflect on the number of times you have been questioned about whether you are a Christian or not, and whether you have felt comfortable with the way that you have been asked this. Are there right times to say ‘Yes’ and times when it might be wise to answer the question indirectly, so that people do not make incorrect presumptions about you?
- Pray for all who witness to the Gospel, that they may be given wisdom in order to know how to deal with people’s questions.
Please refer to the general advice on the page ‘discipleship challenges’
The notes below are offered to help you think about the challenges of God’s Word. Read the notes and suggestions below, but don’t try to follow through any more than one thing at any one time!