May 11, 2017 - PASSING ON THE MANTLE

Day 131 - 2 Kings 1-3 & John 3:22-36

Then Elijah took his cloak and rolled it up and struck the water, and the water was parted to the one side and to the other, till the two of them could go over on dry ground.
When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.”  And Elisha said, “Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me.”... And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it and he cried, “My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” And he saw him no more.
... Then he took the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and struck the water, saying, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” And when he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and Elisha went over. (2 Kings 2:8-14 ESV)

This section of Scripture draws our attention to what is happening to Elijah--chariots and horses of fire and a whirlwind trip to heaven. However, this morning, my thoughts are drawn to what the Holy Spirit is doing in Elijah’s life. The mantle, or cloak, of Elijah is being passed on to his successor, Elisha.

This is what happens when pastors are ordained. They are ready to begin serving. While there is no passing on of spiritual power, there is a sense of following in the steps of another. Three of the pastors present at my ordination had great influence on me, Pastor Harvey Wangerin and Professors Wangerin and Jenne. Pastors Sallach and Lewis also were influential in my years of preparation for the ministry. I thank the Lord for them and for the passing on of the mantle that took place!

God of the prophets, bless the prophet's sons;
Elijah's mantle o'er Elisha cast.
Each age its solemn task may claim but once;
Make each one nobler, stronger than the last.
(Lutheran Service Book, CPH, 2006, #682, stanza 1)

Gracious heavenly Father, thank You for the office of the holy ministry. Please keep all pastors faithful to You and the people we are called to serve. Use all of us, professional church workers and lay members, in the joyful task of sharing the love of Jesus with our sin-darkened world. Amen.

Pastor David Paape 

Daily Bible Reading Chart
http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf