# The Messiah Must Suffer – Advent Reflection
*2018-12-14*

> Bill reflects on Matthew 17:9‑13, exploring how Jesus’ power of love contrasts with worldly violence and what it means to respond to others with gentleness rather than cruelty.

## Opening the Advent Reading

Good afternoon, I’m Bill Young. Today is the Saturday of the second week of Advent, and we’re using the daily reflections from *Christ Comes: A New Daily Advent* (2018). The theme for December 15 is “The Messiah Must Suffer,” a caption written by N.T. Wright for *Simple Good News*.

## Worldly Power vs. Kingdom Power

Wright reminds us that the world’s power is often expressed through violence—tanks, bombs, guns, knives, whips, prisons, barbed wire, bulldozers. Those tools are used to crush lives, destroy homes, and manipulate others. In contrast, the power of the Kingdom of God runs on love, gentleness, kindness, and wisdom. Jesus demonstrated this when He faced the Roman governor, showing that the kingdoms of this world rely on force, while the Kingdom of God is built on love.

## The Scripture Passage

Let’s read Matthew 17:9‑13. After the Transfiguration, Jesus says, “Tell no one about the vision until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.” The disciples ask why the “Elijah” must come first. Jesus replies, “Elijah does come, and he will restore all things. But I tell you, Elijah has already come; they did not recognize him, but treated him as they pleased. So also the Son of Man will suffer at their hands.” The disciples then understand that He is speaking of John the Baptist.

*In this Advent season, we are called to embody the Messiah’s suffering love, responding to others with compassion rather than the cruelty of worldly power.*