The account of Elijah’s ascension into heaven and the passing of his ‘mantle’ is a remarkable story. The final miracle performed by Elijah is that of the parting of the waters of the Jordan, a miracle that signified a connection with the Exodus. It was a demonstration of Elijah’s authority in God that he should perform this miracle that Moses and Joshua had performed before him. It authorised him as the agent of God. That Elisha should then perform the same miracle after asking for a double portion of Elijah’s ‘spirit’ demonstrates that this authority had been transferred to Elisha. In this connection it is interesting to reflect on the conversation that Jesus had with his disciples on the night before he died (John 14-16). He explained to them that he was, like Elijah, going to be taken up into heaven. The disciples knew the story of Elijah and Elisha well and may have caught this connection. Jesus explained that because he was going to ascend to heaven they would receive the Holy Spirit, referred to by Paul as ‘the Spirit of Christ’. They would receive his Spirit in order that they may continue the work that he had begun. Jesus promised them that because of this they would do even greater works than he (John 14:12). It is the same pattern between Elijah and Elisha who did greater things than his master. Like Jesus’ disciples, Elisha received his master’s spirit when Elijah ascended into heaven. But notice from this story how this happened to Elisha. It happened because Elisha refused to leave his master’s side.
Commit yourself to walk with Jesus and not leave his side.
Read 2 Kings 2
