Prepared for Persecution

By Pastor Dan Hickling

“As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, ‘Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.’ The disciples asked him, ‘Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?’ Jesus replied, ‘To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.’ Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.”—Matthew 17:9–13 (NIV)

Some context is needed in order to understand what’s happening here. In brief, Jesus had just taken three of His disciples on something similar to what we might call a celestial field trip. Leaving the rest of the disciples behind, Jesus leads Peter, James and John up to the summit of a high mountain. It’s atop this mountain that two unforgettable things happen.

First, Jesus is “transfigured,” which is to say that His physical appearance is radically transformed in a miraculous moment. In essence, the earthly body with all of its limitations is altered. It’s as if the veil covering the most intense star is pulled aside as the radiant glory of Christ’s essential nature is revealed. This instance is recorded in three of the four Gospel records (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), and in each case human language can’t fully capture the blazing brilliance of it all. It’s always “like” some extreme example of luminosity and intensity. At any rate, even after this momentary manifestation would pass, Peter, James, and John would never see Jesus the same way for the rest of their lives.

The second thing that happens is also mind blowing . . . Moses and Elijah also appear in some immaterial yet recognizable form and begin talking with Jesus! Imagine what this must have been like if you were Jewish. All of the incredible stories and larger than life characters you were brought up knowing—two of them are right there in front of you! But the moment comes to a close and Jesus leads them back down the mountain.

But as He tells them to keep this under wraps, a question occurs to them. They just saw Elijah, but they also knew it was prophesied that Elijah would come before the Messiah (Jesus) would come (Malachi 4:5). So, they question how Elijah could have come after Jesus had already been with them. To which Jesus tells them that Elijah had already come, that he wasn’t received but was mistreated by those who should have honored him. This can be confusing, but most Bible scholars agree that Jesus is actually referring here to John the Baptist who had come in the “spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1:17) and who was cruelly mistreated and killed.

Jesus then goes on to include Himself, the Son of Man, as also being cruelly mistreated by those who should have honored Him. It seems incomprehensible, just moments before He was more glorious than the brightest sun, but now He tells them He will be treated as John the Baptist was, unrecognized for who He truly is and dishonored in the most dishonorable way. We know this will all be fulfilled at the cross.

What are we to take away from this? Just this: Don’t expect kind treatment towards those who are walking out God’s will. Granted, what happened to John and Jesus are extreme examples. but servants aren’t greater than their masters. The principle still applies that those who live for God’s kingdom will ultimately be rejected by the systems of this fallen world. In time, the King will set all things right, but until then, His followers are to be prepared for persecution in some form or another.

“Remember what I told you,‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.”—John 15:20 (NIV)

Pause: What hard truth does Jesus share with His disciples here and how does it pertain to us?

Practice: Think about the way you regard persecution in life. Is it something you avoid or understand and embrace as a privilege? Reflect on the Christ-like way to walk through persecution and how you can follow His example the next time you encounter it.

Pray: Lord, we ask You to fill us with Your Spirit and the power to prepare for and to endure persecution as it comes our way. Give us wisdom to walk wisely and to not court trouble, but to embrace it as it comes by way of walking in Your will for our lives. May we be worthy servants of You. Amen.