Living in the Spirit

June 21, 2022

Scripture Reading:

1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21

Then the Lord said to him, ‘Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king over Aram. Also you shall anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel; and you shall anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah as prophet in your place.

 So he set out from there, and found Elisha son of Shaphat, who was ploughing. There were twelve yoke of oxen ahead of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle over him. He left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, ‘Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.’ Then Elijah said to him, ‘Go back again; for what have I done to you?’ He returned from following him, took the yoke of oxen, and slaughtered them; using the equipment from the oxen, he boiled their flesh, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out and followed Elijah, and became his servant.

I did not realize the lectionary had prequels. Yesterday we remembered Elisha taking over the role of Elijah as he was whisked to the heavens on a chariot of fire and horses of fire. Today we go back to Elisha’s entry into being a prophet. The role of faith mentor is crucial. Jesus was the living example of a faith mentor. We are all called to be faith mentors. The smallest child senses when their presence in church is welcomed—even celebrated.  Hebrews 11:1-3, describes it thusly, Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.

Living your faith will be the best sermon you will ever preach.

Prayer: Thank you Lord for modeling for us how to live our faith. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.