S21P22 – Portraits of faith: Elisha

2 Kings 2:15
The company of the prophets from Jericho, who were watching, said, “The spirit of Elijah is resting on Elisha.” And they went to meet him and bowed to the ground before him.

Before Elijah was taken up to heaven, he asked Elisha what he could do for him. Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. It is the most flattering response a teacher could receive from a student, that the student was desire to walk not only in the same power and authority as the teacher but in even greater power and authority. It is the student saying, “what you have is so great, so precious, I would like to carry it as well, and I desire even more because of how valuable it is.”

In seeing the product of Elijah’s faith, Elisha was drawn to ask for even greater faith. When Elisha used Elijah’s cloak to part the waters, the prophets of Jericho were watching. What they saw was the successor of Elijah walking in his spirit, walking with similar faith, and they recognized it. Likewise, when we admire those who teach us because of the God-given faith they display, we should desire to walk in even greater faith. As we receive that measure of faith and display it before others, it will be noticed.

Ultimately, it is God from whom we learn. The qualities we admire in those who lead us are their godly qualities. If I admire the great faith of my teacher, it is only because he carries a measure of the faith that Christ himself displayed in his life on earth. That is the faith we truly seek. And perhaps, in God’s graciousness, He will cause others to see our great faith and desire an even greater portion for themselves. Father, thank You for giving us even a portion of the faith that your Son displayed in his life as a man, and bless us with an even greater portion of that faith as we seek You daily.