2 Kings 2:6-14 (NLT)
Then Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, for the Lord has told me to go to the Jordan River.” But again Elisha replied, “As surely as the Lord lives and you yourself live, I will never leave you.” So they went on together. Fifty men from the group of prophets also went and watched from a distance as Elijah and Elisha stopped beside the Jordan River. Then Elijah folded his cloak together and struck the water with it. The river divided, and the two of them went across on dry ground! When they came to the other side, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I can do for you before I am taken away.” And Elisha replied, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit and become your successor.” “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah replied. “If you see me when I am taken from you, then you will get your request. But if not, then you won’t.” As they were walking along and talking, suddenly a chariot of fire appeared, drawn by horses of fire. It drove between the two men, separating them, and Elijah was carried by a whirlwind into heaven. Elisha saw it and cried out, “My father! My father! I see the chariots and charioteers of Israel!” And as they disappeared from sight, Elisha tore his clothes in distress. Elisha picked up Elijah’s cloak, which had fallen when he was taken up. Then Elisha returned to the bank of the Jordan River. He struck the water with Elijah’s cloak and cried out, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” Then the river divided, and Elisha went across.
Of the many lessons gleaned from yesterday’s reading, I feel the need to elaborate on one further. As you’ll recall in the Refuge story, Jamie (as John’s pastor at the time) and his humility in stepping “below” John in ministry and his becoming willing to follow John in the direction the Lord was leading him. This was no status thing or false flattery or intimidation. Rather, this is a beautiful and appropriate picture of the “passing of the mantle.” The mentee becoming the mentor. A passage to spiritual adulthood. A lesson in humility from both.
As new believers, our only real function within the church is to share our story and soak up as much Scripture as we can. We focus on ourselves so to speak. We take baby steps of faith and lap up the milk of basic Bible teaching. We walk, wobble, and fall. We look to spiritual parents (pastors, mentors, leaders) to cling to or pick us up when we fall or offer encouragement and affirmation. This goes on sometimes for years.
But like young people, there comes a time in life in which we grow out of the childish (selfish) phase. It's often a subtle shift. We find ourselves reaching out to others. Not only sharing our story, but the wisdom of our knowledge and experience. We assume or inherit a mantle of leadership, a mantle of mentorship. We inevitably become like our mentors. The change wrought in us by the Holy Spirit comes full circle. We, like Jesus, love God with our whole heart. And others as ourselves.
This is the natural progression of spiritual maturity. Unfortunately (and devastatingly) many in the church are only seeking God to “feel good,” selfishly soaking in the role of mentee rather than growing in faith to become a mentor.
So, here is a call to grow up. Spiritually. Is it time for you to take the next step? Is it time to bend and stretch and flee your comfort zone? Start with that “Spiritual Gifts Survey” that was passed out at church Sunday. Then do something about it!
