Commentary on the Gospel of
Fire of Elijah and John
What characterized prophet Elijah was his zeal for Yahweh. He burned with a passion to defend Yahweh and turn the hearts of the King and the people back to Yahweh. Out of his zeal he challenged the King, the prophets of Baal, and the entire population to a contest on Mount Carmel and brought fire down from the skies. It is the same zeal, passion, and singularity of purpose we see in the life of John the Baptist. John’s only focus was to prepare the way of the Lord, and once the Lord arrived, he would happily retreat, having fulfilled his mission. Perhaps it helps to stand close to them so as to catch a bit of their fire into our souls as well. What the Church needs today are Christians with a singular passion for God and his people. They may be a minority, but like yeast in the flour, they transform the entire world.
