Elijah’s work was finished. It was time for God to call him home. His great disciple Elisha knew what was about to happen, but he did not want to talk about it (2 Kings 2:3). After the two walked together for quite some distance, Elijah finally suggests that they should split apart and go their separate ways. He knew his departure was imminent. Yet, Elisha refused saying, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you” (2 Kings 2:6). This is the same attitude of faithful persistence we see in Thomas (John 11:16) and Peter (Luke 22:33). May the Lord give us all such an attitude.

Finally, “Elijah said to Elisha, ‘Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?’ ‘Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,’ Elisha replied” (2 Kings 2:9). Here Elisha was not asking for a ministry greater than his master’s. Rather, according to the Law of Deut. 21:17, he was merely asking to follow in his master’s steps. He wanted the ability to carry on his teacher’s work. “‘You have asked a difficult thing.’ Elijah said, ‘yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise not’” (2 Kings 2:10). Soon after that a fiery chariot with horses appeared and separated the two men. Elisha felt a mighty wind and saw the chariot carry his master up to heaven. He knew he would follow in his master’s footsteps.

Just as Elisha saw his master miraculously taken into heaven so also the 11 disciples witnessed Jesus’ ascension. These impressive departures did not take place for Jesus and Elijah, but for the benefit of those, left behind, who would carry on in their master’s steps. What a boost to their faith—to witness such an event! In both cases, the miraculous ascensions gave divine confirmation to their faith and their future ministry.

Elisha followed in the spirit of Elijah. So also on Pentecost, 10 days after the ascension, the disciples were given the Spirit of Jesus to empower them to carry on His work. Embolden with His Holy Spirit, the disciples no longer cowered behind locked doors (John 20:19). They were seen publicly, healing and teaching in his name (Acts 2 and 3). This is the same Spirit He has given us so we too can have the courage to carry on His work (2 Tim. 1:7).

As Elijah ascended into heaven he left behind his cloak. There was nothing special about the cloak itself. But God worked through that cloak in a miraculous way (2 Kings 2:13-14). So also when Jesus ascended into heaven, He left behind His most precious sacraments. By themselves the water of Baptism or the bread and wine in the Lord’s Supper are nothing special. But God also works through them to do miraculous things. Through them He gives us forgiveness (Matt. 26:28) and new life (Rom. 6:3-4).

Prayer: Lord Jesus, when You ascended into heaven You withdrew Your physical presence from us. Yet, You also promised to be with us always. Help me to recognize Your loving and powerful presence in Your precious Word and sacraments. Amen.

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Updated: Wednesday June 02, 2010