Date: 15 Feb 2000
Time: 02:36:34
Talk about knowing something that you don't want to know or speak of! glad in Il
Date: 28 Feb 2000
Time: 16:18:24
First Thoughts: I need to include verses 13-14 in this pericope to talk about "passing the mantle".
Elisha is like a shadow or "glued to the hip" of Elijah as Elijah tries to slip away without notice.
Lots of litanies in this text: "Do you know...Yes, I know" - twice; "As the Lord lives...I will not leave you." - three times.
Obviously, good story telling effects. Anything else? Caroline in CT/USA
Date: 28 Feb 2000
Time: 16:58:01
I can't believe how many people are chatting in Mark, but not in 2 Kings!!! This is such a great story! What did it take for Elisha to inherit the spirit? The ability to see. (How many of us are willing to recognize the spirit at work in our lives?) And in order to see, he had to be in the right place at the right time. This was not a question of chance or luck. Three times Elijah told Elisha to stay behind while he went on ahead. But Elisha stuck to him, following him from town to town, even though Elijah discouraged him from coming. He saw because he WANTED to be there. And why did Jesus appear to Mary after he rose from the dead? Because she was there. In order to see, you have to be present where God is acting, and open your eyes. I hope some other people join the chat. Debra in NYC
Date: 28 Feb 2000
Time: 19:14:21
Matthew Henry has a marvelous section on the 2 Kings reading. There is a marked contrast in the events of Elijah's departure in Kings and his meeting with and departure from Jesus in Mark. In Kings, Elisha is devastated by the spectacular exit of the great prophet. He mourns. In Mark's Gospel, the disciples are in awe of the events. Jesus, however, does not leave them. Rather, he descends with them, erasing all sorrow and fear, and leaving the memory, the awe, and the comfort of His presence. Can I so reflect Christ's glory in my life that others will see Him, desire to follow me, as Elisha did Elijah? Can I shine with His light so that others may catch a vision of the glory yet to be revealed? Shall I make each moment, each step count as I prepare to depart and be with Christ? Chaplain E, USARMY
Date: 28 Feb 2000
Time: 22:41:05
We are in the second week of a capitol campaign. Thought I would deal with the passing of the mantel, thoughts of how each generation cries out for those who hunger for those who are willing to pick up the mantel and dare "strike the water". How many fallen mantels lie untouched because none dare draw near? Jp
Date: 29 Feb 2000
Time: 02:17:10
JG in Wisconsin
Ravi Zacharias preaches on this text and teaches regarding the lessons Israel learned at the various places they went before Elijah went up.
In Bethel, they learned of Jacob and how he worshipped God.
In Jericho, they learned of Joshua and how God fought for Israel.
In Gilgal it was shown that even the stones can speak of the past and point to the future.
Just some thoughts.
Date: 29 Feb 2000
Time: 12:01:18
Thanks, Jp. We are also doing a Capital Funds Drive. I have already announced my sermon title as "Passing the Mantle" but had no idea where I would go with it. You have given me - did anyone ever call you "Holy Spirit" before - just what I need. Especially since a large part of our drive is debt reduction on a building addition completed in 96 and we have lots of new families since then.
Thanks again! Caroline in CT/USA
Date: 29 Feb 2000
Time: 12:42:45
Two things are happening in our church which make this story timely. First, there have been many deaths of long time leaders in the church, one of whom was a beloved former pastor of 13 years. Who will pick up his mantle? I have even thought of having one of his stoles available to pick up and pass around. That may be too much?
Second, we are in the midst of developing a system of lay mobilization. We are in the first real phase of invitation to have persons discover their gifts, consultation, matching, evaluation, etc. This is a great story to help pass on the ministry to the laity.
My choir director suggested that we have ribbons or "pieces of the cloth" available for everyone so as to invite them to symbolically take up the mantle.
I thought about the title "Heavy Mantle Band" but that may be a little too much. Yet that is what the church really is: a band of followers joyfully toating a heavy mantle.
Fred in LA
Date: 29 Feb 2000
Time: 14:07:02
Why does Elisha want a double portion of Elijah's spirit? Why does he keep following him around? I get the sense that Elisha was the student who wanted to become greater than his teacher. From a teacher/mentor perspective, would that every student have the drive to surpass the teacher. I just wonder about his motives.
I find it interesting that Elijah knows that it is a hard thing to reward and I get the impression that Elijah understands his spirit as a gift from the Lord.
John near Pitts.
Date: 01 Mar 2000
Time: 15:05:50
Another way to look at Elisha's desire for a double portion of the spirit is to see him as having a sense of inadequacy. How would we feel having witnessed Elijah's works and power and knowing that we are to take up his mantle? How do we feel when we think of taking up Christ's mantle? I want to ask for a double portion too, just in order to get the job done. Bob in WP,NY
Date: 01 Mar 2000
Time: 16:56:33
Thanks everyone for all your thoughts, I'm getting some great ideas... especially since I'm about to leave my job, the passing of the mantel is helpful. More thoughts: the double portion is the portion of the heir, or the first born. Elisha is not asking to be twice as good as Elijah, but to be his spiritual successor. I'm also thinking about why Elijah kept telling Elisha to stay behind. Could it be that he was testing him to see whether he was just the kind of person who simply obeyed orders and stayed with the crowd, or whether he could act for himself and do what he felt was right, even in the face of discouragement? Debra in NYC
Date: 01 Mar 2000
Time: 19:24:16
This story always makes me think of pastoral care workers who minister with the dying. Sometimes when people are dying they say they "don't want to be a burden" and try to push others away. Perhaps Elijah was hoping that by telling Elisha to "stay here" that he would spare Elisha some pain at his passing. But Elisha stays with Elijah until the end of his life on earth. I wonder if Elijah was comforted by Elisha journeying with him? Elisha went through a period of mourning, but he had also been richly blessed by sharing this final journey with Elijah.
MN
Date: 02 Mar 2000
Time: 16:02:25
Compare Elisa's 3 refusals to stay behind with the story of Jesus and the disciples in the garden at Gethsemane. They were begged repeatedly to just stay awake yet dozed.
Consequently, they were not prepared for their master's removal and scattered in fear. Elisha kept his eyes open and stayed with Elija and was rewarded with the mantle.
I believe Matthew also has the three amigos dozing on the mount of transfiguration, and stuttering like fools when the lights come on. I'm reminded of an old song line, "the movie's over, it's 4 o'clock, and we're in trouble deep. Wake up, little Suzy, we gotta go home."
I think there is a message in here for Deliberate Discipleship. Care to help flesh it out? tom in TN(USA)
Date: 02 Mar 2000
Time: 21:09:03
As I get closer to the task of preaching, I found the striking contrasts in the OT lesson and the Gospel. One bids disciple to stay, Jesus bids disciple to follow him. Elisha KNOWS what is about to happen. Jesus' band of three is CLUELESS. One is a vision of spectacular action (horses, chariot), the other brightness and a conversation. One is taken away who spoke of God. Jesus remains and God speaks of Him. Elisha sees a whirlwind take Elijah and is left alone. Peter, James, and John are enveloped in a cloud and are left with Jesus only. Elisha grieves. The disciples wonder and ponder. Point: God's action in our lives happen expectedly and unexpectedly; they may be spectacular or quiet; they show us our humanity and the hope of heaven. - Army Chaplain E
Date: 04 Mar 2000
Time: 06:48:39
3,3,2000
I don't question the motives of Elisha. I know why he wanted a double portion of Elijah's spirit. HE WANTED MORE OF GOD. I see so many Christians content with going as far as there leader has gone or content with what they have. God wants us HOT. He longs for us to long for Him. His desire is our sancification, our holiness, our becoming like Him.
As I read how the prophets tried to discourage Elisha, I am reminded of many instances in my own life where I have been encouraged to be less zelous, less certain, and more tolerant of the religions of the world. No thanks.
I long for that wirlwind to come for me. I love that line of a song by Margaret Becker "I want to be there when the horses come for me."
I not only want to be there, I want to be ready, willing, and eager. I want to be on fire, I want to be annointed, and I want ALL that God has in mind for me.
I want to be so annointed that every child I see in a wheelchair suffering from Multiple Scl. or Msy. Distrophy or any other disease or accicdnt will jump out of that chair totally healed when I pray for them. I'd love to empty hospitals, mental wards, and dead chruches with the healing power of Jesus the Christ. And my motives? To be famous? NO. To be looked up to? NO. To have more power than any other preacher or pastor on the planet? No.
I want to give glory to God, see his power manifested to those in need around me, and make the Kingdom of God available to any and all who seek their creator.
There's fire, fire, fire in the house. There's fire, fire, fire in the house. There's strength and healing power, there's fire.
Dale in Kansas
Date: 05 Mar 2000
Time: 01:15:59
Like others, I was struck with the three time repetition of Elisha's "I will stay with you," in contrast with the three denials, the three times asleep in the garden, and the three statements of "feed my sheep" at the end of John. I believe my sermon will be dealing with the fact that we talk alot about Jesus sticking with us through the hard times, but what about us sticking with Jesus? There's a definite discipleship challenge here. (Interesting side note that I may use as a sermon illustration: the tabloid paper "The Sun" had a headline this week that I saw while standing in the check out line at the grocery store..."Scientists cause controversy by trying to clone Jesus!")
Date: 05 Mar 2000
Time: 23:58:20
to Fred in LA - it's probably too late for you to read this, but thanks for the idea about picking up pieces of cloth. We did it today and some people said that it was quite moving, especially when an 89 year old woman picked up a piece. The children did too. I am so grateful for people who put good ideas here. Debra in NYC