The Future Has Already Begun

A few years ago -- celebrating Advent with my dad. 

Scripture:

Mark 9:9   As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. ¹⁰ So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead could mean. ¹¹ Then they asked him, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” ¹² He said to them, “Elijah is indeed coming first to restore all things. How then is it written about the Son of Man, that he is to go through many sufferings and be treated with contempt? ¹³ But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written about him.”

Observation:

Coming down the mountain from the transfiguration, the disciples were trying to understand what they had experienced, and what it meant for them. Elijah had been seen up on the mountain and they knew that this had to have some special meaning for them. The scribes often quoted passages of scripture about the role of Elijah and there were disagreements about his placement in history in regard to the coming of the Messiah. John the Baptist came fulfilling the prophetic role of Elijah, but combine this with the vision of Elijah on the mountain, and we discover that future had already begun. Called to secrecy, the disciples were not to disclose what was being revealed to them until Jesus had suffered. For the disciples this was all rather confusing. 

Application:

We are now journeying through the season of advent and it is, at times, with limited understanding. Advent is not just about Christmas, but about anticipating the second coming of Jesus. We are much like the disciples, for whom the signs are a bit confusing. However, there is a great truth here for all of us, for the future has already begun. While we wait in anticipation for the return of the Messiah, his work is already living and active here on earth. 

Far too many people are waiting for Jesus’ return, or possibly, their own escape from this place so that they can participate with Jesus. Advent is a great reminder that the future has already begun and Jesus is inviting us into that work, and into the future which he has already begun.  

The disciples came down from the mount of transfiguration and Jesus immediately led them into ministry among the people. The future has already begun when we participate with Jesus in his mission. As we walk through this season of advent may we come down the mountain with Jesus and into the lives of the ordinary people who need to experience Jesus. The future is here. We don’t need to live in worry about the ways of this world, but we embrace the already of Jesus’ kingdom and walk with him, spreading his presence everywhere we go. 

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for this glorious reminder of your future which is already present among us. Amen.