Daily Word - Elijah must come first? - Matthew 17:10-13

Scripture
Matthew 17:10-13 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
10 So the disciples questioned Him, "Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?" (A)
11 "Elijah is coming [a] and will restore everything," He replied. (B) [b] 12 "But I tell you: Elijah has already come, and they didn't recognize him. On the contrary, they did whatever they pleased to him. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands." (C) [c] 13 Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them about John the Baptist.
Footnotes:
Matthew 17:11 Other mss add first
Matthew 17:11 Other mss read Jesus said to them
Matthew 17:12 Lit suffer by them
Cross references:
Matthew 17:10 : Mal 4:5; Mt 11:14;
Matthew 17:11 : Mal 4:6; Lk 1:16-17;
Matthew 17:12 : Mt 14:3;, 10; 16:21;

Reflection:
God gives signs to show what he is about to do. John the Baptist is one such sign, who pointed to Jesus and prepared the way for his coming. John fulfilled the essential task of all the prophets: to be fingers pointing to Christ. John is the last and greatest prophet of the old kingdom, the old covenant. The Jews expected that when the Messiah would come, Elijah would appear to announce his presence. John fills the role of Elijah and prepares the way for the coming of Christ by preaching a baptism of repentance and renewal. As watchful servants, we, too must prepare for the Lord's coming again by turning away from sin and from everything that would keep us from pursuing his will. Are you eager to do God's will and are you prepared to meet the Lord Jesus when he returns in glory?

Prayer For The Day:
Lord, stir my zeal for your righteousness and for your kingdom. Free me from complacency and from compromising with the ways of sin and worldliness that I may be wholeheartedly devoted to you and to your kingdom.