Day 145 "Reality must include faith; otherwise, it is ours and not His."

Day 145 Matthew 17:9-13 Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.” And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things. But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist. The coming of Elijah was prophesied as the fore coming of Jesus; therefore, in the eyes of the Jewish believers, Christ could not come for Elijah has yet to come. However, what they were looking for was Elijah in the flesh, not Elijah in the spirit. Jesus is telling His disciples that Elijah has returned as John the Baptist; therefore, everything was in place for Christ to return–prophecy had to now be fulfilled. Why did they miss it? Because it didn't look like what they had expected, because Jesus had not come riding in on a white horse to destroy the rulers and take His rightful place. Therefore, since this Jesus had not done these things, He could not be the Messiah. Oh, how foolish they were, and because, once again, God did not do things the way they expected Him to, they could not believe Him. Just who do we think we are when we say things like "Oh, God would never do anything like that" or "God will bless whatever we do, we’re His children." I don't know about you, but I don't know the mind of God. Oh, I know that He is merciful, and kind, and gracious, and judgmental, and jealous–shall I go on? I'm not trying to paint God as a vengeful, evil God who seeks to destroy us, no more than I would paint Him as being pandering and passive. He does things His way, and His Word will always serve as a lamppost. Had the religious leaders realized this and checked things against the Word, they would have never crucified Christ, for they would have realized who He was. We, too, can miss the things of God, His blessings, His reproach, His love, His direction, and so much more when we adopt an attitude toward Him that is unhealthy or unrealistic. "Following God is not a choice; in reality, once you experience Him, you can't live any other way." (Bret Carnalli.) I couldn't agree more, how about you? Daily Prayer: Father, keep me, I pray, from falling into the pit of deception. I don't want the enemy to deceive me. Please keep me focused in Your reality. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. "Reality must include faith; otherwise, it is ours and not His." Pastor Gene Burroughs