Elisha Established in Power

Synopsis     2 Kings 2:17-3:2     7/25/2019

Elisha saw Elijah taken up in a fiery chariot. And he knew that he would see Elijah no more. But the local prophets wanted to search for Elijah. And so, he waited.

Elisha remained in Jericho while the guild prophets searched for Elijah’s remains. After this, Elisha performed two miracles. First, he healed the foul spring of Jericho and made the water fresh. Second, he cursed a large group of boys who were mocking and threatening him. In this case, two mother bears came out of a forest and attacked the children.

After all this, he returned to Elijah’s home at Mount Carmel before going on to stay in Samaria.

Meanwhile, Joram replaced his brother Ahaziah as king. And, he then reigned twelve years.

Elisha Established in Power

Elisha’s life had changed. Before he was Elijah’s assistant. But now, he was imbued with power.

He had asked for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. And he had recovered Elijah’s mantle when the prophet was taken up. But the evidence of his anointing was made visible in power. He was able to respond to his circumstances in power.

And, like Elijah before him, the manifestation of his power was a testimony to God’s power.

Baptism in the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit has been with me since my baptism. So, why the lack of power? How come I don’t look like Elisha?

It’s all about love.

Love is the effort of creating value for another. It is action directed another that allows them to enter into the full possibility of their life. The Holy Spirit is geared toward this effort alone. He will only show up in power to the extent that my immediate object is the salvation of a soul. 

“But you will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8