2/6/18
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.
We don’t always know what we are watching. In 2 Kings 2:1-12 as Elijah was preparing to depart from his role as a prophet, his disciple Elisha was determined to follow him. He didn’t really know what was going on. He had been told that his master, Elijah, would be taken away. But what would that mean? Was he going to die? Was he going to be arrested? Was he going to evaporate?
Elisha’s desire was to follow his prophetic mentor to the end. If he would be like his teacher, he needed to be loyal to his teacher. He set his mind to continuing in the task. He refused to be sent away, refused to be distracted, refused to be discouraged.
We notice at the same time that Elijah made very few explanations to his disciple. He led him. He answered his questions. He engaged in prophetic activities, such as parting the river with his rolled-up cloak. But he really didn’t explain what was happening. Perhaps Elijah also didn’t know his destination.
In the end, Elijah became the second person ever to leave this life without dying. He was taken up in a whirlwind, apparently accompanied by a chariot and horses of fire. We have no explanation beyond this. It’s all we are given.
Elisha took up Elijah’s cloak and became a noteworthy prophet. Some have observed that just as Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit, Elisha has about twice as many recorded miracles as Elijah did. But it isn’t clear what that exchange meant, either.
What do we know about the situation? God used his prophet to prepare another prophet. He passed on his gifts, which were for the good of His people, from one prophet to another. Through the ages, God has always raised up his servants to speak His word and nurture faithful obedience among His people. This has never ended. The Lord is quite able to raise up servants in every age, including our age. Wherever there are those who are willing to follow the Lord, He will use them for the good of his creation.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.
We don’t always know what we are watching. In 2 Kings 2:1-12 as Elijah was preparing to depart from his role as a prophet, his disciple Elisha was determined to follow him. He didn’t really know what was going on. He had been told that his master, Elijah, would be taken away. But what would that mean? Was he going to die? Was he going to be arrested? Was he going to evaporate?
Elisha’s desire was to follow his prophetic mentor to the end. If he would be like his teacher, he needed to be loyal to his teacher. He set his mind to continuing in the task. He refused to be sent away, refused to be distracted, refused to be discouraged.
We notice at the same time that Elijah made very few explanations to his disciple. He led him. He answered his questions. He engaged in prophetic activities, such as parting the river with his rolled-up cloak. But he really didn’t explain what was happening. Perhaps Elijah also didn’t know his destination.
In the end, Elijah became the second person ever to leave this life without dying. He was taken up in a whirlwind, apparently accompanied by a chariot and horses of fire. We have no explanation beyond this. It’s all we are given.
Elisha took up Elijah’s cloak and became a noteworthy prophet. Some have observed that just as Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit, Elisha has about twice as many recorded miracles as Elijah did. But it isn’t clear what that exchange meant, either.
What do we know about the situation? God used his prophet to prepare another prophet. He passed on his gifts, which were for the good of His people, from one prophet to another. Through the ages, God has always raised up his servants to speak His word and nurture faithful obedience among His people. This has never ended. The Lord is quite able to raise up servants in every age, including our age. Wherever there are those who are willing to follow the Lord, He will use them for the good of his creation.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
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