Discipleship as Witness
2 Kings 2:1-15
Rev. Dr. Philip Yohannan
Episcopal Diocese of New York
When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you? 'Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit". Elisha replied. ( 2 Ki 2: 9 ).
Elijah anointed Elisha as his heir and cast his mantle upon him. Elisha asks not for wealth nor honor, nor exemption from trouble but to be qualified for the service of God.
Elisha had already received so much from Elijah and he had been under his training. He had seen God answer Elijah's prayer with fire from heaven to consume the altar and the offering.
Now is the time that God would take him away and his journey to Gilgal was a long and arduous task. The road was long and hard filled with pitfalls. There would be people who would oppose his going and Elijah hoped that Elisha would be willing to follow him to the end.
What kind of road are you willing to choose?.
If we are going to experience God's double portion, there is a price to pay. Its a life of self-discipline, self denial and complete obedience of the spirit of God.
Several trials crossed his way that attempted to hinder him but Elisha remained focused on obtaining the double portion. Opposition does not shake his resolve .
The company of prophets attempted to bring Elisha down to their level of commitment.Why are you following Elijah? Don't you know that God is finished with him and will soon take him away? The Lord is through with him and you would be better off to stay with us . Why commit your whole life to an old man?.
Obstacles did not shake his resolve.Even Elijah seemed to be an obstacle to Elisha's progress.He tried three times to get Elisha to stay behind but he resolved in his heart to stay with Elijah until he was taken away.
We may face with the same questions, why are you on fire for the Lord? Why are you practicing your parents' christian prayer life? You know that the world is about to end?
We must decide which road to take to travel for God's mission work. We must decide whether to take the road less travelled and step out of our comfort zone. Many people are happy with their church services, happy with their life style, and happy right where they are. Here is a man, Elisha who committed his life to following his Master to the very end for the service of the Lord.
You will never experience the power of God, if you never step out of your comfort zone and as a disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ let us get out with the double portion for the service of the Lord.
PRAYER
Lord, You are our great Shepherd, we lay down our lives today and accept that we cannot be fulfilled without You, Lord. In submission and recognition of weakness, we offer our lives to You for Your service. In Jesus name we pray , Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
" Therefore be imitators of God as beloved children " ( Eph 5: 1 )