Stumbling Blocks

And they asked him, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?” Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him.” Mark 9:11-13

As the Old Testament says, the scholars of the law were teaching the people that Elijah must come first. They were absolutely right. The Bible says this in the last 2 verses of the Old Testament.

“See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.” Malachi 4:5-6

Many were waiting on Elijah, but Jesus tells the disciples that he had already come, and the people refused him. Later, he provides more detail, as Jesus tells the people, that if they are willing to accept it, John the Baptist was Elijah.

Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. Whoever has ears, let them hear. Matthew 11:11-14

Waiting on Elijah had become a stumbling block for many. The teachers and many people were waiting on a clearly defined Elijah as the forerunner, followed by the coming of the Lord. No Elijah equaled no Lord to them. However, the forerunner, John the Baptist, had already come and was refused by many. Jesus said this about John the Baptist quoting the prophet Malachi.

“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ Matthew 11:10

Waiting on Elijah had become a stumbling block to many. John the Baptist had already come, and they missed it.

Just like the people in Jesus’s day, we all face stumbling blocks, things that hinder our belief in Jesus. Be it the riches of the world, the desire for power or position, the dependence on people, the things of the world become stumbling blocks to our faith. We believe in Jesus, but stumbling blocks cause us to act otherwise.

Pictures or events in the Bible often illustrate and emphasize the teaching of Jesus.

Immediately after the discussion with the disciples about Elijah in Mark 9, a dad runs up to Jesus asking if He would heal his son, who was possessed by a demon. Notice the exchange, the cry of the father.

And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”

And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.”

Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” Mark 9:22-24

The father says something very strange. He says that he believes, but needs help with his unbelief. It was like he was caught in the middle between belief and unbelief.

Ever feel that way? Ever feel like you believe in Jesus, but you need help with unbelief? Maybe the stumbling blocks of life make you doubt your faith? You are not alone.

Stumbling blocks are inevitable. We all have them, we all face them, and, all will stumble. We will doubt our faith.

The dad’s cry to Jesus makes complete sense. I believe, but help me with my unbelief. Christ has to fill the hole of unbelief. He has to give us the power to hurdle our stumbling block.

The people waiting on Elijah had a stumbling block, and they needed faith that can only come from God. We are in the same boat. It is only Him that gives us the faith to overcome unbelief.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

Let the dad’s cry be the constant cry of us as the world fights our faith. I believe, but help me with my unbelief.

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