The prophet Malachi says that a prophet will come before the Messiah to make things ready. We see this in his prophecy today. In Matthew, Jesus specifically quotes that prophecy when talking about John the Baptist. He says that John is Elijah. In doing this, Jesus does two things. First, He shows us that John is the fulfillment of that prophecy. But secondly, if John is the one who will make things ready for the Messiah, Jesus is saying this – He is the Messiah. He is the one that all the prophets are pointing to. In this, Jesus is not just saying who John is. He is saying who He is.

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Good morning! It’s a pleasure to be with you as we continue our exploration of Messianic prophecies, this time focusing on Malachi and its fulfillment in the book of Matthew. Malachi, being the last of the Old Testament prophets, delivers powerful messages about the coming Messiah.

Let’s dive into the specific passages from Malachi and then explore how they find fulfillment in Matthew 11. In Malachi 3:1, the prophet declares:

“See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts.”

This verse anticipates the coming of a messenger to prepare the way for the Lord, the Messiah. Additionally, Malachi 4:5-6 states:

“Lo, I will send you the prophet Elijah before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of parents to their children and the hearts of children to their parents, so that I will not come and strike the land with a curse.”

This passage emphasizes the sending of Elijah as a prophet before the arrival of the great day of the Lord.

Now, let’s turn our attention to the New Testament, specifically Matthew 11:7-15, where Jesus speaks about John the Baptist:

“As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.'”

Jesus, in this passage, is talking about John the Baptist and referencing Malachi’s prophecies. He continues:

“This is the one about whom it is written, ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.'”

Here, Jesus directly quotes Malachi 3:1, affirming that John the Baptist is the fulfillment of the promised messenger who prepares the way for the Lord.

Truly, among those born of women, no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist, yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. Jesus highlights the pivotal role John plays in preparing the way for the Messiah but also points to the greater significance of the kingdom of heaven that he inaugurates.

Importantly, Jesus concludes with an assertion that ties back to Malachi’s prophecy about Elijah:

“If you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come.”

Jesus identifies John the Baptist as the fulfillment of Malachi’s prophecy regarding the coming of Elijah before the great day of the Lord.

In this passage, Jesus not only acknowledges John the Baptist as the messenger preparing the way but also proclaims Himself as the Lord, the Messiah. By doing so, He underscores the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies in His coming.

This intricate connection between the Old Testament prophecies in Malachi and their fulfillment in Matthew showcases the continuity and fulfillment found in the person of Jesus Christ. I hope you find this exploration enriching, and I look forward to continuing our journey through these Messianic prophecies. Have a wonderful day!