09.28.2025 | Elisha the Prophet
2 Kings 2; 4-5
One of the most popular events in track & field is the 4x100 meter relay. Each team has four runners who each run 100 meters. Runners pass a baton to the next runner—hopefully without dropping it. The fourth and final runner for the team is the anchor. The anchor is typically the fastest and most experienced runner, and it is their job to finish the race for their team!
Just as God had called Elijah to speak His words to the people, God also called a man named Elisha to be His prophet. The work Elijah had started was going to be passed on—like a baton in a relay race—to Elisha. Elisha asked for the same spirit that had powered the work of Elijah, and God honored this request by giving Elisha the power to perform many miracles—like healing the sick, dividing the water, and even making an ax head float up from the bottom of the river! These miracles were proof that Elisha was a prophet of God. The people saw that Elisha had the same spirit and same power as Elijah, and they believed Elisha was God’s prophet to share God’s words with them.
Before returning to heaven, Jesus commanded His followers to carry on with the mission of making disciples and baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus passed the baton to His followers and told them to continue sharing the message of the gospel. All believers have this mission, and they have the Holy Spirit to help them. The Holy Spirit is God living with us and in us. The Spirit helps us to follow God and carry on the mission of spreading the good news of Jesus to the world!
Elisha spoke the truth of God and performed miracles. Jesus taught with the authority of God and performed miracles as well. Elisha was a prophet, but Jesus is the Son of God, our Savior.
