Listen Up. Matthew 17:9-13 NLT

There's a difference between listening to someone and hearing them. You can hear someone but not actually listen to them. When you are having a conversation with someone, are you hearing what they say or are you thinking about what you want to say and waiting for your chance to speak? Are you so excited about what you want to say that you interrupt?

Here's some abbreviated definitions:

Listen-give one's attention

Hear- with the ear the sound made by (someone or something)

Conversation-the informal exchange of ideas by spoken words

God had just finished telling the boys (Peter, James and John) to listen to Jesus, yet I don't think they heard what He said. Jesus made a profound statement about His resurrection and instead of asking for clarity, they ask a question that have nothing to do with Jesus's statement. But it is a good question. And here's the answer:

Matthew 17:9-13 NLT

9 As they went back down the mountain, Jesus commanded them,“Don’t tell anyone what you have seen until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

10 Then his disciples asked him, “Why do the teachers of religious law insist that Elijah must return before the Messiah comes?”

11 Jesus replied, “Elijah is indeed coming first to get everything ready. 12 But I tell you, Elijah has already come, but he wasn’t recognized, and they chose to abuse him. And in the same way they will also make the Son of Man suffer.” 13 Then the disciples realized he was talking about John the Baptist.

A comparison of the life and work of both Elijah and John the Baptist.

· Elijah was noted as being full of zeal for God; so was John the Baptist.
· Elijah boldly rebuked sin in high places; so did John the Baptist.
· Elijah called sinners and compromisers to a decision of repentance; so did John the Baptist.
· Elijah attracted multitudes in his ministry; so did John the Baptist.
· Elijah attracted the attention and fury of a king and his wife; so did John the Baptist.
· Elijah was an austere man; so was John the Baptist.
· Elijah fled to the wilderness; John the Baptist also lived there.
· Elijah lived in a corrupt time and was used to restore failing spiritual life; so was it true of John the Baptist. David Guzik

Blessings, Cecilia