Scripture:
I Kings 19:19-21 NKJV
[19] So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he was with the twelfth. Then Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle on him. [20] And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?” [21] So Elisha turned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen and slaughtered them and boiled their flesh, using the oxen’s equipment, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and followed Elijah, and became his servant.
Observation:
Elijah knew that the LORD was using him in mighty ways. He had watched HIM operate through him for some time now. However, he also knew that he would not be on earth forever and he would need an apprentice someone to carry on the work when GOD decides to take him home. Searching for just the right man, he comes across a young man with a name much like his own. Standing back and watching, he decided to pass his mantle to the young man. I picture Elijah casually walking by Elisha, throwing his mantle over his shoulders and continuing to walk like it was no big deal. By the time Elisha realized what had just happened, his new mentor was some distance away, and he would have to run to catch up. Egger to serve the LORD and do HIS work, he requested that he be able to talk to his family goodbye. Elijah agreed to the request, and his newfound disciple returned home only to sacrifice the 12 yoke of oxen he was plowing with and give the meat to the people. I believe the spiritual significance of this is important. Elisha was willing to not only leave his old life behind to follow his new teacher, but he didn’t want to creep back up when things got a little hard, so he put that life to death. That way, there would be no return to it whatsoever.
Application:
Discipleship is a principle found throughout the entire Bible. It’s not something that should be glanced over. The crazy thing is that in the last several years, I have watched it become one of the things to do. With programs popping up all over the place. The statement I feel like I need to make is this… if you know Jesus as your LORD and SAVIOR… as soon as you understand how to walk with HIM, you must grab someone’s hand and show them how to live for HIM. What has to be kept in mind is that they need to be willing. Trying to force them will never work. Simply present the opportunity and continue to walk in a manner worthy of the calling GOD has placed on you. Believe me, the right one will come along. Someone willing to lay their old life to rest and do what is necessary to follow Jesus. So let me explain how this has transpired in my life. Over the years, GOD has brought several men into my life who lived much like I used to. Men who would be able to see that GOD had changed me. Some of them walked a little way, but the old life would eventually creep back in, and they would fall back into the patterns of this world. But there have been a few who have walked even when things got hard. Because they knew that if GOD could change a man like me… there was hope for them. They became men to be proud of men of honor, men that I get the privilege to walk next to today, and men who will carry the torch long after I am gone. Passing the mantle of Jesus Christ to these men has been a privilege and an honor. These men have continued the process by passing on their mantle to other men, and the kingdom of heaven continues to grow. One day, GOD will take me home, and all the stuff that I have accumulated will burn or rust coming to absolutely nothing. However, by the grace of GOD, maybe a legacy of disciples who understand that the kingdom can only come to earth if we build it here will be left behind. My challenge to you today is… find someone who is willing to lay down their old life and walk with them and pour everything you know about the bible into them. Their growth is your reward. Perhaps you may be blessed like GOD has blessed me and got to sit under the shade of a tree from a seed that GOD uses you to plant.
Prayer:
Father, your word is the model for our lives. Help us to see that and show others how to see that as well. We know that you use all of our weaknesses to show your strength. You have made us overcome so that we can show others how to overcome their past by putting it to rest. Your command in Matthew chapter 28 is not a request. It’s how the kingdom is built here on earth. We want to be used by you. We want your light to shine. You have given our lives purpose and meaning. You have made beautify from ashes. You painted a mosaic from the broken pieces of our lives. We want to show others who you are. Write your word on our hearts so that we can do so. This life is not our own. So show us how to GO and make disciples. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus we pray, amen.