More Than Reformation

When Jesus walked through Israel teaching and doing wonders people disagreed about His true identity.  Some said he was John the Baptist, others claimed he was Elijah, or one of the old prophets had been reincarnated or risen from the dead.  None of these contradictory opinions were true because Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.  Elijah and John were reformers but Jesus was a Redeemer.  We know our Redeemer lives because He is risen!

Elijah spoke strongly against the regime of King Ahab and the idolatrous condition of the nation.  He conducted a test between the prophets of Ba'al and himself to prove to the people who was the true God to be worshipped, and God answered with fire from heaven.  Having exposed Ba'als prophets as frauds, they were swiftly executed.  John the Baptist came preaching a baptism of repentance, driving home to individuals their need to confess sin and change.  Various groups of people (including tax collectors and soldiers) asked what they needed to do in light of their present situation and John the Baptist provided guidance (Luke 3:10-14).  John boldly spoke against the unlawful conduct of Herod and was imprisoned.

It was around this time Jesus began preaching repentance and the kingdom of God through the Gospel.  It seems many people, including the disciples of Jesus, expected Him to do as they imagined Elijah or John the Baptist had done.  Jesus explained He did not come to destroy the Law and the prophets but to fulfill, to bring them to completion.  He did not push for social or political reform but demonstrated the love of God for sinners by dying on the cross for their sins as the Lamb of God without blemish.  He did not come to reform people or to improve living conditions for men on earth but to redeem all who believe and provide spiritual transformation.  People looked for Jesus to set up His kingdom in Jerusalem by force, but Jesus established His kingdom by grace through faith in love.

People would have been content with government reformation and social improvements yet God intended to redeem.  This means He is not in a hurry (like we often are) to change our circumstances for the better.  The scripture reveals our good God allows suffering and pain for His redemptive purposes.  Instead of making us calloused towards the suffering of others or indifferent towards our own, remember God is a Redeemer who is compassionate, gracious and merciful.  Having received such grace and kindness such qualities ought to mark our lives as we take courage in the God who will never leave or forsake us.  May our prayers and desires move from directing God to "Do this!"  or "Change that!" to "Thank you God for being my Redeemer."