Daily Lectionary: John 15:1-11

When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you." And Elisha said, "Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me." And he said, "You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you, but if you do not see me, it shall not be so." (2 Kings 2:9-10)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. In 2 Kings 2:1-14 we read how the LORD took the prophet Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, accompanied by a fiery chariot. Elisha had been his assistant for many years. Before Elijah was taken up, Elisha asked for a double portion of the Holy Spirit, who had been with Elijah during his ministry. God gave that to Elisha, and he went on to serve as a prophet for many years. The courage and wisdom he had to do the work God gave him to do was there because of the Spirit.

The blessing given to Elisha reminds us of Ascension Day, when the apostles watched Jesus ascend into heaven. Ten days later the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the Church to empower the apostles to be witnesses for Christ. The Gospel was preached and faith was created. People were called to repentance and were reborn in Holy Baptism. The Spirit caused the Gospel to spread, and He is still doing that today through the same Word and Sacraments.

So as we hear about Elisha, and the strength the Spirit gave to him, we also thank God for the Spirit given to us in the Word and in Baptism. That same Spirit brought us to Christ and keeps us in Christ. He comforts us with the Gospel so that we learn what Christ taught and come to trust in Him. He strengthens us to serve others in the love of Christ, doing the vocations we are given in this world.

Thanks be to God for the work the Spirit did in and through the prophet Elisha. Thanks be to God for the gracious work the Spirit does to bring us to Christ and keep us in Him always. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Lord God, heavenly Father, through the prophet Elisha, You continued the prophetic pattern of teaching Your people the true faith and demonstrating through miracles Your presence in creation to heal it of its brokenness. Grant that Your Church may see in Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, the final end-times prophet whose teaching and miracles continue in Your Church through the healing medicine of the Gospel and the Sacraments; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch