2 Kings 2:1-15
Passing the Mantle

On Elijah’s last day on earth, he asked his young protégé what he could do for him, and Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. Elijah knew that was up to the Lord, not him, and told Elisha that the sign the Lord had granted his request would be the ability to see the manner of Elijah’s departure. And Elisha did see; he witnessed with his physical eyes the chariots of fire and horses of fire, the heavenly hosts. Pastor Todd reminded us of the (later) scene in 2 Kings 6 when Elisha prayed that his servant would be enabled to see the chariots of fire surrounding the human enemies that encircled and threatened them. Todd also reminded us of Jesus’ words in Gethsemane when he said 12 legions of angels were at his disposal to protect him. Is it possible, Todd asked, that a fighting force of angelic protectors is near God’s people at all times, just invisible to us? Ask the Lord to use these few glimpses behind the curtain to increase our faith in God’s hand of protection over us. We are indeed blessed if we believe without having seen.

Elijah called Elisha’s bold request a “hard thing.” From long experience, Elijah knew that speaking truth to God’s people is difficult; they don’t always want to hear it. Todd compared Elijah’s calling in the 9th century BC to a pastor’s calling in our day. Standing up front on an elevated platform, speaking to hundreds of people, may seem glamorous, Todd said, but it’s not! People’s rejection of God’s word or refusal to submit to the authority of church leaders, plus all-around discouragement, can crush a man if the pastoral role is a vocational choice, not a calling from God. What a good reminder to pray for our pastors at Calvary – Dave, Todd, Anthony, and Austin – and faithful pastors everywhere.

As Elijah was taken up in the whirlwind, his mantle, or cloak, fell from him and was picked up by Elisha. The role of God’s spokesman to the Northern Kingdom of Israel passed from Elijah to Elisha, just as the role of leading the Israelites passed from Moses to young Joshua centuries earlier. We are tasked with passing the mantle of membership in the Lord’s universal church – in other words, salvation – and the mantle of serving the Lord’s local church to the next generation. It is not automatic. And it’s not a matter of physical proximity or kinship. It is the work of God. Think of those who are following after you, in your family and in our church, and pray: Lord, help me communicate my faith to the next generation and live it out before them. Point out to me a younger person You have perhaps gifted to follow me in a ministry role at Calvary; show me how to encourage them and help them develop their gifts.

In Christ,
Carol Gilbert

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