August 12, 2025 • 18 mins
Often heralded as THE prophet of Israel, Elijah boldly faced the wickedness of Israel. His mission was ultimately fulfilled through Jesu, who was the greater prophet.
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As we dive deeply into iconic Bible heroes' enthralling narratives, we find more than just stories of faith and miracles. We discover a recurrent theme, a spiritual undertone that connects each tale to the grandeur of the Gospel.
They're not just standalone legends; they're threads in a divine tapestry, weaving a story that foreshadows Jesus Christ, the ultimate hero, the promised Messiah who brings light to the darkest corners of history.
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To learn more about Rabbi Schneider visit https://discoveringthejewishjesus.com/
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Let us pray. Answer me, O Lord, answer me that
this people may know that you, O Lord, are God,
and that you have turned their hearts back. First Kings,
eighteen thirty seven. Dear Lord, we ask that you reveal
yourself mightily in situations where hope seems lost and in
(00:21):
places where your name is yet to be glorified. Turn
the hearts of those who are astray back to you, Father,
and let them experience the life changing power of your love. Father.
May our lives bear witness to your mighty power and
boundless love. Let every word we speak, every action we take,
(00:44):
reflects your glory, so that people may see you in
us and have their hearts turned back to you. Thank you, Father,
for your unfailing love and for the privilege of being
called your children. We pray that our lives will continually
point others to you, and together we will worship and
(01:05):
glorify your holy name. In the powerful name of Jesus,
We pray, Amen. Thank you for praying with me today.
Stay tuned now for another episode of Stories of the
Messiah with Rabbi Schneider.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
They had come for a spectacle. Thousands gathered on Mount
Carmel to watch a clash of gods. The nation of
Israel had become corrupt due to the wickedness of King
Ahab and the witch queen Jezebel. Under their rule, the
prophets of Baal tainted the nation with idolatry, evil practices,
and moral compromise. Elijah, God's devoted prophet, challenged Ahab and
(01:53):
Jezebel to a test of the power of their gods.
They enthusiastically accepted the challenge, unaware of just how powerful
the Lord of all creation was. Hundreds of prophets, adorned
in pure white linens around their waists and gold ambulets
around their bare chests, amassed at the summit of Carmel.
Elijah faced the hundreds of prophets alone. His face was
(02:17):
resolute and fierce. He stood atop a stone and shouted
for the crowd to hear.
Speaker 3 (02:22):
You, fickle minded people, you oscillate between two masters, God
and Bail. Today we end this. If the Lord proves
himself of a bel you shall serve him and him alone.
If Bil prevails, you shall follow him.
Speaker 2 (02:41):
Elijah pointed at the prophets of Bail with intensity.
Speaker 1 (02:45):
Are you ready to face your way?
Speaker 4 (02:49):
Hello, and welcome to another episode of the Stories of
the Messiah podcast. I'm your guide for this journey, Rabbi
Schneider with discovering the Jewish Jesus. If you've been found
following this podcast and founded a blessing, follow and subscribe
so that you never miss an episode, and remember to
download Prey dot com. Here the Bible come to life.
(03:10):
We've been traversing through the peaks and valleys of the
Bible's greatest stories, stories of tragedy, triumph, faith and failure.
Each episode has showcased a different Biblical hero whose life
ultimately points to the greatest hero of all, Jesus. We
have learned how Jesus is the greater Adam, Cain, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Isaac, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Samson,
(03:35):
bo As, David, and Solomon. Now we enter the story
of Elijah, Israel's most renowned prophet. Elijah's stand off with
the prophets of bail As famous. At this point in
Israel's history, corruption was at an all time high. King
Ahab and Queen Jezebel let the prophets of Balreek Havoc
(03:55):
on the sons and daughters of Israel. Elijah stood as
a lone pillar of faith and righteasrighteousness. He was a
voice crying out in the wilderness for the people to
return to their God. We must admire Elijah's ability to
remain steadfast when everyone else in be falling apart. We
will enter into this dramatic retelling of one Kings eighteen.
(04:15):
When the God of israelis pitted against Bail. It is
evident to us who will win, But knowing the result
doesn't make the battle any less.
Speaker 2 (04:23):
Epic winds whistled across the peaks of Mount Carmel. A
chill came upon the crowd as they watched Elijah step
forward towards the prophets of Bail. Elijah, moved by a
burning conviction, challenged the four hundred and fifty prophets of
Bail to a contest, a contest that would serve to
(04:45):
prove whose God was the real God. He was a teacher,
a preacher, and a guide, not a warrior or a showman.
Yet he found himself thrust out of his comfort zone,
pushed into a public spectacle of faith where actions would
be louder than words. He looked at them with unwavering confidence.
Speaker 3 (05:04):
Bring two poles and build two altars for a sacrifice.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
Elijah commanded. The contest was simple. Both parties would prepare
a sacrificial bull and place it on an altar of wood,
but neither would set fire to it. They would call
upon their God to send down fire from the heavens
and consume the sacrifice. The God who answered with fire
would be the true God. If Elijah failed, he would
be killed, and the people of Israel would continue to
(05:31):
live in the shadow of Idolatry. He was outnumbered, outpowered,
and outmatched in the eyes of many. Yet Elijah had
an unseen palpable power. Moving on his behalf, wavering his staff,
he challenged.
Speaker 3 (05:44):
Invoke your God's name, and all call mine. The cord
that sendspire from the altar is the true God.
Speaker 2 (05:51):
He stepped down, his eyes, never leaving the false prophets
are righteous. Fury smoldering within the prophets began their chance
and their incense. A sea of people marched around the altar,
shouting man as their incantations rang with the feet of
their ceremonial drugs.
Speaker 1 (06:11):
The skies remained still. Hours passed, and.
Speaker 2 (06:14):
The once enthusiastic crowd began to grumble. Elijah leaned against
a tree with his arms crossed, and taunted them south louder,
he jested, he is called at all.
Speaker 3 (06:26):
Perhaps he's deep in thought, or perhaps he's relieving himself.
Speaker 2 (06:30):
There The crowd laughed, but the prophets of Bail were
not amused. Their frantic whales grew more high pitched, and
Elijah watched as they drew the blades to cut themselves
over the altar. Blood soaked the crowd as the prophet's hobbled, danced,
chanted and prayed. Midday passed, but there was no answer,
no fire, just silence them. Came Elijahs turn. He rebuilt
(06:56):
the altar of God, arranged the wood, prepared the bowl,
and did something no one expected. Come come close to me,
he shouted to the crowd. He made a trench around
the altar and pointed to a few of the men.
Speaker 3 (07:08):
Fill ford charles with water and all it.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
Over the ball. Once everyone murmured, assuming he was joke,
Elijah couldn't be more serious.
Speaker 1 (07:17):
On again, he said, so they drenched.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
The altar with the water a second time. Then, to
mount the odds even more against him and the God
of Israel, Elijah had been to do it a third
time water overflowed from the altar. The air was thick
with anticipation. Elijah was putting his life on the line.
King Ahab and Jezebel were ready to kill him at
any moment, but he couldn't waver. Now he wasn't just
(07:42):
putting his life on the line. Elijah was challenging the
beliefs of an entire nation, beliefs deeply rooted and fiercely guarded.
He was the voice in the wilderness, the lone figure
against a multitude. Elijah bowed before the altar for the
first time. He felt his knees beginning to tremble. Was
it fear, was it anticipation. He wasn't certain, but he
(08:04):
knew his weaknesses didn't amount to anything when the God
of all creation was on his side.
Speaker 1 (08:09):
Oh Lord, Elijah, whispered, God.
Speaker 3 (08:11):
Of Abraham, is secut you. Let it be non this
deed in your God, the God of his room.
Speaker 1 (08:18):
I am your servant.
Speaker 2 (08:20):
Please. Elijah felt his hands shake and his lips began
to quiver. Clouds were galloping in from the east, dark
and foreboding.
Speaker 3 (08:29):
Liasten ansome from I These people like you are the God.
Speaker 2 (08:36):
His voice began to rise with his increasing heartbeat. Passion
consumed him, and his faith poured out like rain, cull
the heart fat.
Speaker 3 (08:44):
You turn him back, Lord, Please cloud crackmen.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
As Elijah shouted to the heavens, and lightning struck the alter.
Elijah flew back the entire altar that was completely consumed
in fire. Elijah watched as the offering wood, stones and
dust were en delicted flames. The multitude fell on their faces,
declaring their praise was music to Elijah's ears. Finally, his
(09:13):
strong veneer cracked and he began to cry. He felt vindicated.
God had shown up he always would. Elijah turned to
the prophets of Bale and shouted, seize them.
Speaker 3 (09:25):
Did none of the mistake.
Speaker 2 (09:26):
The prophets were slaughtered, the monuments to Bil were torn down,
and the sickness of sin was still in their hearts.
Israels still wouldn't completely turn from their wickedness. They needed
liberation from a greater prophet.
Speaker 4 (09:43):
Elijah is renowned as one of Israel's greatest prophets. Discover
more about his story and other biblical heroes connect to
the Messiah at Discovering the Jewish Jesus dot Com. This
stand up between Elijah and the prophets of Bail was
a demonstration of standing up what one believes in, regardless
of the opposition. Elijah stood alone against the hundreds of
(10:05):
prophets of Bail, the King and Queen, and the popular
culture of his time. Elijah was a minority voice speaking
out against what he saw as the moral and religious
decay of his society. He could have been killed for
speaking out, but stood his ground with unwavering courage in
the face of opposition and potential danger. Elijah was committed
(10:28):
to his faith and convictions. His example serves as a
lesson in courage, integrity, and the willingness to stand alone
if necessary for our faith. This event underscores the importance
of not allowing societal pressures or threats to sway us
from our core values. Yet there's a hidden tragedy in
the story that came afterward. You see, even after the
(10:51):
people of Israel witness fire descend from heaven, they still
that difficulty turning from their idolatry. That's a sad reality,
but an important lie. We often think that if we
just saw a miracle, we would fully understand God and
put our unwavering faith in him. However, Elijah's faith was
not built on signs and miracles. His faith was built
(11:13):
on intimacy, connection, and the knowledge of God's word. Just
because you see a miracle doesn't mean everything becomes clear.
Romans Chapter ten tells us that faith comes by hearing
God's word. It doesn't come by witnessing miracles. It comes
from understanding the heart of God and acting upon that understanding.
That is why James tells us that faith without works
(11:34):
is dead. When our convictions match our actions, our faith
comes alive. The apostle Peter got to witness miracles in
his life. He got to see Jesus give sight to
the blind, calm storms, cast out demons, and even walk
on water. He even saw Jesus's glory transfigured before him
on a mountain. Yet even still, Peter struggled to understand.
(11:59):
He struggled to have unwavering faith Like Elijah. His testimony
should be a warning to all of us. Just because
we see something with our eyes doesn't mean we understand
it in our hearts. Let's move from Elijah to Jesus.
In the cinematic retelling of Matthew seventeen, Jesus is going
to reveal himself to Peter, and Peter is going to
struggle to understand.
Speaker 2 (12:22):
Dawn stretched across the sky, adorning the valley in brilliant
hues of orange. Peter stirred from sleep just as the
light rose above the hill. The air held the pure,
refreshing chill of a new day, and a faint light
began to tease the distant hilltops. Jesus sat beside him, alert,
(12:43):
his lips curled in a quiet smile. His finger rose
to his lips, silently instructing Peter to be quiet. His
gaze led Peter to the mountain base, where John and
James eagerly awaited. Peter rose and joined Jesus on their
journey towards the peak. Peter observed Jesus navigate the rugged terrain.
He admired his teacher. He was strong from years as
(13:05):
a stonemason. The mountains challenge heightened, the incline growing steeper.
Jesus was far ahead of them, disappearing into the clearing
at the mountain's summit. As they scrambled upward, a surge
of light exploded from the peak, painting the dawn in
hues more surreal than any sunrise they had ever experienced.
They initially thought it was the sun radiated light, but
(13:28):
it was none other than Jesus himself. His body was
enveloped in a brilliant so pure that it dwarfed the
morning sun. His humanity seemed to peel back, revealing the
divine essence underneath. Awe and fear came upon them all.
Jesus was transfigured before them, the fullness of his glory
(13:49):
on display. Suddenly, two or more flashes of light streaked
from the heavens, crashing to earth. The figures were Moses
and Elijah, joining Jesus in conversation, yet they didn't engage
him as an equal. Instead, Jesus spoke to them with authority.
They acknowledged him as their lord and revered him as God.
Peter's heart pounded in his chest. He stood in the
(14:12):
presence of the three most extraordinary heroes God had ever sent.
Overwhelmed with excitement, James and John watched as Peter sprinted
towards them. He jumped and shouted, Lord, it's wonderful that
we're all here.
Speaker 3 (14:25):
Let's erect three tabernacles, one for you, one for Moses,
and one for Elijah, and then we ken.
Speaker 2 (14:31):
Before he could complete his thought, a whirlwind of life
descended on, engulfing them like a cyclone. The disciples trembled
as a cloud of divine lights surrounded them. Peter shielded
his eyes, curling into a feet of position on the ground.
A voice erupted from the storm.
Speaker 1 (14:47):
This is my son, in whom I am will pleased.
Hear him and only him.
Speaker 2 (14:54):
The next instant, everything returned to normal. Blinking open one eye,
pa looked around. Moses and Elijah had vanished. Jesus, no
longer transfigured, stood alone. He extended a hand to Peter,
helping him up, and led the disciples back down the mountain.
Speaker 4 (15:18):
It may not seem like it, since most of us
probably haven't witnessed Jesus, Moses, and Elijah hanging out on
the same mountaintop, but Peter's experience matches our own in
many ways. Peter saw Moses, Elijah, and Jesus and immediately
thought that each of them should get their own temple.
Peter wanted to freeze this divine moment in time and
(15:39):
create monuments to these three biblical heroes, but there was
one problem. One of these three men was far greater
than the other two. Moses was considered the giver of
the Law. He led Israel out of bondage and into freedom.
Elijah was considered the greatest prophet. He stood up to
corruption and fought for the heart of Israel. Yet both
(16:01):
of these men's greatness combined paled in comparison to Jesus.
Jesus was the fulfillment of the Law and the ultimate prophet.
Moses and Elijah were both great, but ultimately failed in
turning people's hearts back to God. Jus, however, was greater
than both. As we have already learned, Jesus is the
greater Moses who led us into greater liberation. Jus is
(16:24):
also more significant than Elijah. While Elijah facilitated miracles, Jesus
was a miracle. The Transfiguration was the prime example of that.
Jesus was God incarnate, come to earth to cleanse the
correct hearts of God's people. That was something that, despite
facilitating miracles, Elijah couldn't do. God reviewed Peter in a
(16:45):
whirlwind to emphasize that jas was not in an equal
footing with Moses and Elijah. The Lord declared to Peter,
this is my son, hear him. It is not that
we don't listen to Moses or Elijah. Rather, everything they
had to say say pointed forward to Jesus. So we
are convinced in this way that Jesus is the greater Elijah.
(17:07):
Next time, we will turn our attention to another prophet.
While Elijah mostly dealt with outer conflict, corrupt kings and
false gods, this prophet dealt with inner conflict. His disobedience, prejudice,
and bitterness gets him swallowed up in the belly of
a giant fish. But our redemption story is coming. Join
(17:28):
us next episode to witness how Jesus is the greater Jonah.
To dwelt deeper into Jesus's Old Testament appearances, You're welcome
to visit Discovering the Jewish Jesus dot com. I'd also
like to recommend my new book, Messianic Prophecy Revealed Seeing
Messiah in the Pages of the Hebrew Bible. It's available
(17:48):
to purchase on my website. If this podcast blessed you,
be sure to follow and subscribe so you'll never miss
a single episode, and remember to download Pray dot com
hear even more great stories and make prayer a priority
in your life.
Let us pray. Answer me, O Lord, answer me that
this people may know that you, O Lord, are God,
and that you have turned their hearts back. First Kings,
eighteen thirty seven. Dear Lord, we ask that you reveal
yourself mightily in situations where hope seems lost and in
(00:21):
places where your name is yet to be glorified. Turn
the hearts of those who are astray back to you, Father,
and let them experience the life changing power of your love. Father.
May our lives bear witness to your mighty power and
boundless love. Let every word we speak, every action we take,
(00:44):
reflects your glory, so that people may see you in
us and have their hearts turned back to you. Thank you, Father,
for your unfailing love and for the privilege of being
called your children. We pray that our lives will continually
point others to you, and together we will worship and
(01:05):
glorify your holy name. In the powerful name of Jesus,
We pray, Amen. Thank you for praying with me today.
Stay tuned now for another episode of Stories of the
Messiah with Rabbi Schneider.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
They had come for a spectacle. Thousands gathered on Mount
Carmel to watch a clash of gods. The nation of
Israel had become corrupt due to the wickedness of King
Ahab and the witch queen Jezebel. Under their rule, the
prophets of Baal tainted the nation with idolatry, evil practices,
and moral compromise. Elijah, God's devoted prophet, challenged Ahab and
(01:53):
Jezebel to a test of the power of their gods.
They enthusiastically accepted the challenge, unaware of just how powerful
the Lord of all creation was. Hundreds of prophets, adorned
in pure white linens around their waists and gold ambulets
around their bare chests, amassed at the summit of Carmel.
Elijah faced the hundreds of prophets alone. His face was
(02:17):
resolute and fierce. He stood atop a stone and shouted
for the crowd to hear.
Speaker 3 (02:22):
You, fickle minded people, you oscillate between two masters, God
and Bail. Today we end this. If the Lord proves
himself of a bel you shall serve him and him alone.
If Bil prevails, you shall follow him.
Speaker 2 (02:41):
Elijah pointed at the prophets of Bail with intensity.
Speaker 1 (02:45):
Are you ready to face your way?
Speaker 4 (02:49):
Hello, and welcome to another episode of the Stories of
the Messiah podcast. I'm your guide for this journey, Rabbi
Schneider with discovering the Jewish Jesus. If you've been found
following this podcast and founded a blessing, follow and subscribe
so that you never miss an episode, and remember to
download Prey dot com. Here the Bible come to life.
(03:10):
We've been traversing through the peaks and valleys of the
Bible's greatest stories, stories of tragedy, triumph, faith and failure.
Each episode has showcased a different Biblical hero whose life
ultimately points to the greatest hero of all, Jesus. We
have learned how Jesus is the greater Adam, Cain, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Isaac, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Samson,
(03:35):
bo As, David, and Solomon. Now we enter the story
of Elijah, Israel's most renowned prophet. Elijah's stand off with
the prophets of bail As famous. At this point in
Israel's history, corruption was at an all time high. King
Ahab and Queen Jezebel let the prophets of Balreek Havoc
(03:55):
on the sons and daughters of Israel. Elijah stood as
a lone pillar of faith and righteasrighteousness. He was a
voice crying out in the wilderness for the people to
return to their God. We must admire Elijah's ability to
remain steadfast when everyone else in be falling apart. We
will enter into this dramatic retelling of one Kings eighteen.
(04:15):
When the God of israelis pitted against Bail. It is
evident to us who will win, But knowing the result
doesn't make the battle any less.
Speaker 2 (04:23):
Epic winds whistled across the peaks of Mount Carmel. A
chill came upon the crowd as they watched Elijah step
forward towards the prophets of Bail. Elijah, moved by a
burning conviction, challenged the four hundred and fifty prophets of
Bail to a contest, a contest that would serve to
(04:45):
prove whose God was the real God. He was a teacher,
a preacher, and a guide, not a warrior or a showman.
Yet he found himself thrust out of his comfort zone,
pushed into a public spectacle of faith where actions would
be louder than words. He looked at them with unwavering confidence.
Speaker 3 (05:04):
Bring two poles and build two altars for a sacrifice.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
Elijah commanded. The contest was simple. Both parties would prepare
a sacrificial bull and place it on an altar of wood,
but neither would set fire to it. They would call
upon their God to send down fire from the heavens
and consume the sacrifice. The God who answered with fire
would be the true God. If Elijah failed, he would
be killed, and the people of Israel would continue to
(05:31):
live in the shadow of Idolatry. He was outnumbered, outpowered,
and outmatched in the eyes of many. Yet Elijah had
an unseen palpable power. Moving on his behalf, wavering his staff,
he challenged.
Speaker 3 (05:44):
Invoke your God's name, and all call mine. The cord
that sendspire from the altar is the true God.
Speaker 2 (05:51):
He stepped down, his eyes, never leaving the false prophets
are righteous. Fury smoldering within the prophets began their chance
and their incense. A sea of people marched around the altar,
shouting man as their incantations rang with the feet of
their ceremonial drugs.
Speaker 1 (06:11):
The skies remained still. Hours passed, and.
Speaker 2 (06:14):
The once enthusiastic crowd began to grumble. Elijah leaned against
a tree with his arms crossed, and taunted them south louder,
he jested, he is called at all.
Speaker 3 (06:26):
Perhaps he's deep in thought, or perhaps he's relieving himself.
Speaker 2 (06:30):
There The crowd laughed, but the prophets of Bail were
not amused. Their frantic whales grew more high pitched, and
Elijah watched as they drew the blades to cut themselves
over the altar. Blood soaked the crowd as the prophet's hobbled, danced,
chanted and prayed. Midday passed, but there was no answer,
no fire, just silence them. Came Elijahs turn. He rebuilt
(06:56):
the altar of God, arranged the wood, prepared the bowl,
and did something no one expected. Come come close to me,
he shouted to the crowd. He made a trench around
the altar and pointed to a few of the men.
Speaker 3 (07:08):
Fill ford charles with water and all it.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
Over the ball. Once everyone murmured, assuming he was joke,
Elijah couldn't be more serious.
Speaker 1 (07:17):
On again, he said, so they drenched.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
The altar with the water a second time. Then, to
mount the odds even more against him and the God
of Israel, Elijah had been to do it a third
time water overflowed from the altar. The air was thick
with anticipation. Elijah was putting his life on the line.
King Ahab and Jezebel were ready to kill him at
any moment, but he couldn't waver. Now he wasn't just
(07:42):
putting his life on the line. Elijah was challenging the
beliefs of an entire nation, beliefs deeply rooted and fiercely guarded.
He was the voice in the wilderness, the lone figure
against a multitude. Elijah bowed before the altar for the
first time. He felt his knees beginning to tremble. Was
it fear, was it anticipation. He wasn't certain, but he
(08:04):
knew his weaknesses didn't amount to anything when the God
of all creation was on his side.
Speaker 1 (08:09):
Oh Lord, Elijah, whispered, God.
Speaker 3 (08:11):
Of Abraham, is secut you. Let it be non this
deed in your God, the God of his room.
Speaker 1 (08:18):
I am your servant.
Speaker 2 (08:20):
Please. Elijah felt his hands shake and his lips began
to quiver. Clouds were galloping in from the east, dark
and foreboding.
Speaker 3 (08:29):
Liasten ansome from I These people like you are the God.
Speaker 2 (08:36):
His voice began to rise with his increasing heartbeat. Passion
consumed him, and his faith poured out like rain, cull
the heart fat.
Speaker 3 (08:44):
You turn him back, Lord, Please cloud crackmen.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
As Elijah shouted to the heavens, and lightning struck the alter.
Elijah flew back the entire altar that was completely consumed
in fire. Elijah watched as the offering wood, stones and
dust were en delicted flames. The multitude fell on their faces,
declaring their praise was music to Elijah's ears. Finally, his
(09:13):
strong veneer cracked and he began to cry. He felt vindicated.
God had shown up he always would. Elijah turned to
the prophets of Bale and shouted, seize them.
Speaker 3 (09:25):
Did none of the mistake.
Speaker 2 (09:26):
The prophets were slaughtered, the monuments to Bil were torn down,
and the sickness of sin was still in their hearts.
Israels still wouldn't completely turn from their wickedness. They needed
liberation from a greater prophet.
Speaker 4 (09:43):
Elijah is renowned as one of Israel's greatest prophets. Discover
more about his story and other biblical heroes connect to
the Messiah at Discovering the Jewish Jesus dot Com. This
stand up between Elijah and the prophets of Bail was
a demonstration of standing up what one believes in, regardless
of the opposition. Elijah stood alone against the hundreds of
(10:05):
prophets of Bail, the King and Queen, and the popular
culture of his time. Elijah was a minority voice speaking
out against what he saw as the moral and religious
decay of his society. He could have been killed for
speaking out, but stood his ground with unwavering courage in
the face of opposition and potential danger. Elijah was committed
(10:28):
to his faith and convictions. His example serves as a
lesson in courage, integrity, and the willingness to stand alone
if necessary for our faith. This event underscores the importance
of not allowing societal pressures or threats to sway us
from our core values. Yet there's a hidden tragedy in
the story that came afterward. You see, even after the
(10:51):
people of Israel witness fire descend from heaven, they still
that difficulty turning from their idolatry. That's a sad reality,
but an important lie. We often think that if we
just saw a miracle, we would fully understand God and
put our unwavering faith in him. However, Elijah's faith was
not built on signs and miracles. His faith was built
(11:13):
on intimacy, connection, and the knowledge of God's word. Just
because you see a miracle doesn't mean everything becomes clear.
Romans Chapter ten tells us that faith comes by hearing
God's word. It doesn't come by witnessing miracles. It comes
from understanding the heart of God and acting upon that understanding.
That is why James tells us that faith without works
(11:34):
is dead. When our convictions match our actions, our faith
comes alive. The apostle Peter got to witness miracles in
his life. He got to see Jesus give sight to
the blind, calm storms, cast out demons, and even walk
on water. He even saw Jesus's glory transfigured before him
on a mountain. Yet even still, Peter struggled to understand.
(11:59):
He struggled to have unwavering faith Like Elijah. His testimony
should be a warning to all of us. Just because
we see something with our eyes doesn't mean we understand
it in our hearts. Let's move from Elijah to Jesus.
In the cinematic retelling of Matthew seventeen, Jesus is going
to reveal himself to Peter, and Peter is going to
struggle to understand.
Speaker 2 (12:22):
Dawn stretched across the sky, adorning the valley in brilliant
hues of orange. Peter stirred from sleep just as the
light rose above the hill. The air held the pure,
refreshing chill of a new day, and a faint light
began to tease the distant hilltops. Jesus sat beside him, alert,
(12:43):
his lips curled in a quiet smile. His finger rose
to his lips, silently instructing Peter to be quiet. His
gaze led Peter to the mountain base, where John and
James eagerly awaited. Peter rose and joined Jesus on their
journey towards the peak. Peter observed Jesus navigate the rugged terrain.
He admired his teacher. He was strong from years as
(13:05):
a stonemason. The mountains challenge heightened, the incline growing steeper.
Jesus was far ahead of them, disappearing into the clearing
at the mountain's summit. As they scrambled upward, a surge
of light exploded from the peak, painting the dawn in
hues more surreal than any sunrise they had ever experienced.
They initially thought it was the sun radiated light, but
(13:28):
it was none other than Jesus himself. His body was
enveloped in a brilliant so pure that it dwarfed the
morning sun. His humanity seemed to peel back, revealing the
divine essence underneath. Awe and fear came upon them all.
Jesus was transfigured before them, the fullness of his glory
(13:49):
on display. Suddenly, two or more flashes of light streaked
from the heavens, crashing to earth. The figures were Moses
and Elijah, joining Jesus in conversation, yet they didn't engage
him as an equal. Instead, Jesus spoke to them with authority.
They acknowledged him as their lord and revered him as God.
Peter's heart pounded in his chest. He stood in the
(14:12):
presence of the three most extraordinary heroes God had ever sent.
Overwhelmed with excitement, James and John watched as Peter sprinted
towards them. He jumped and shouted, Lord, it's wonderful that
we're all here.
Speaker 3 (14:25):
Let's erect three tabernacles, one for you, one for Moses,
and one for Elijah, and then we ken.
Speaker 2 (14:31):
Before he could complete his thought, a whirlwind of life
descended on, engulfing them like a cyclone. The disciples trembled
as a cloud of divine lights surrounded them. Peter shielded
his eyes, curling into a feet of position on the ground.
A voice erupted from the storm.
Speaker 1 (14:47):
This is my son, in whom I am will pleased.
Hear him and only him.
Speaker 2 (14:54):
The next instant, everything returned to normal. Blinking open one eye,
pa looked around. Moses and Elijah had vanished. Jesus, no
longer transfigured, stood alone. He extended a hand to Peter,
helping him up, and led the disciples back down the mountain.
Speaker 4 (15:18):
It may not seem like it, since most of us
probably haven't witnessed Jesus, Moses, and Elijah hanging out on
the same mountaintop, but Peter's experience matches our own in
many ways. Peter saw Moses, Elijah, and Jesus and immediately
thought that each of them should get their own temple.
Peter wanted to freeze this divine moment in time and
(15:39):
create monuments to these three biblical heroes, but there was
one problem. One of these three men was far greater
than the other two. Moses was considered the giver of
the Law. He led Israel out of bondage and into freedom.
Elijah was considered the greatest prophet. He stood up to
corruption and fought for the heart of Israel. Yet both
(16:01):
of these men's greatness combined paled in comparison to Jesus.
Jesus was the fulfillment of the Law and the ultimate prophet.
Moses and Elijah were both great, but ultimately failed in
turning people's hearts back to God. Jus, however, was greater
than both. As we have already learned, Jesus is the
greater Moses who led us into greater liberation. Jus is
(16:24):
also more significant than Elijah. While Elijah facilitated miracles, Jesus
was a miracle. The Transfiguration was the prime example of that.
Jesus was God incarnate, come to earth to cleanse the
correct hearts of God's people. That was something that, despite
facilitating miracles, Elijah couldn't do. God reviewed Peter in a
(16:45):
whirlwind to emphasize that jas was not in an equal
footing with Moses and Elijah. The Lord declared to Peter,
this is my son, hear him. It is not that
we don't listen to Moses or Elijah. Rather, everything they
had to say say pointed forward to Jesus. So we
are convinced in this way that Jesus is the greater Elijah.
(17:07):
Next time, we will turn our attention to another prophet.
While Elijah mostly dealt with outer conflict, corrupt kings and
false gods, this prophet dealt with inner conflict. His disobedience, prejudice,
and bitterness gets him swallowed up in the belly of
a giant fish. But our redemption story is coming. Join
(17:28):
us next episode to witness how Jesus is the greater Jonah.
To dwelt deeper into Jesus's Old Testament appearances, You're welcome
to visit Discovering the Jewish Jesus dot com. I'd also
like to recommend my new book, Messianic Prophecy Revealed Seeing
Messiah in the Pages of the Hebrew Bible. It's available
(17:48):
to purchase on my website. If this podcast blessed you,
be sure to follow and subscribe so you'll never miss
a single episode, and remember to download Pray dot com
hear even more great stories and make prayer a priority
in your life.
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