If You Are Willing to Accept It
God respects your free will so much that He does not force you or trick you into believing. He is very direct and forthcoming in telling you the truth. Then if you are willing to accept it . . .
Jesus tells us that of woman there is no greater prophet than John the Baptist. And there have been some great prophets. Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Elijah. The prophecy was that before the Messiah would come Elijah would return. A couple of thoughts to keep in mind. The word return is used because Elijah did not die but was taken up into heaven in a fiery chariot. Since he did not die, he could return. Jewish teaching is narrow minded in that they think only of the bodily form of Elijah returning. What about the spirit of Elijah returning?
Jesus also said that as great as John the Baptist is, the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. Although John baptized with water it did not remove sin. Those who are baptized with water and the spirit become children of God, creatures of heaven, thus greater than John because of the accepting of the Spirit.
If you are willing to accept it.
At the end of this gospel reading Jesus is quite clear. John is Elijah, the one who is to come before the Messiah. If you are willing to accept it, do you believe?
May the Lord bless you in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen