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2 Kings 2:1-15 – New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

2 Now when the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. ² Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. ³ The company of prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?” And he said, “Yes, I know; keep silent.”

⁴ Elijah said to him, “Elisha, stay here, for the Lord has sent me to Jericho.” But he said, “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they came to Jericho. ⁵ The company of prophets who were at Jericho drew near to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?” And he answered, “Yes, I know; keep silent.”

⁶ Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here, for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.” But he said, “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on. ⁷ Fifty men of the company of prophets also went and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. ⁸ Then Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up and struck the water; the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and the two of them crossed on dry ground.

⁹ When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I may do for you before I am taken from you.” Elisha said, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit.” ¹⁰ He responded, “You have asked a hard thing, yet if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not.” ¹¹ As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. ¹² Elisha kept watching and crying out, “Father, father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” But when he could no longer see him, he grasped his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.

¹³ He picked up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. ¹⁴ He took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him and struck the water. He said, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah? Where is he?” He struck the water again, and the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and Elisha crossed over.

¹⁵ When the company of prophets who were at Jericho saw him at a distance, they declared, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.” They came to meet him and bowed to the ground before him. 

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Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

10 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. ² He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. ³ Go on your way; I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. ⁴ Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. ⁵ Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house!’ ⁶ And if a person of peace is there, your peace will rest on that person, but if not, it will return to you. ⁷ Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. ⁸ Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; ⁹ cure the sick who are there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ ¹⁰ But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, ¹¹ ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.’ 

¹⁶ “Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.”

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¹⁷ The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!” ¹⁸ He said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. ¹⁹ Indeed, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will hurt you. ²⁰ Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

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On Friday, many of us were present in this sanctuary to honor and remember the life of Dennis J. King. We heard how Dennis was loved and respected in his family and in his community. We heard again and again how he made a difference in the lives of others by offering his time, his wisdom, his compassion. He was a mentor to many and we were privileged to hear the testimony of some of those family members and friends who were nurtured, encouraged, and taught valuable life-skills by him. 

In our first scripture reading this morning we encounter Elijah & Elisha – mentor and student. Elijah is clearly a person walking with God. Our scripture takes pains to point out that Elijah has been granted powers to do great things. One example depicts Elijah – reminiscent of Moses parting the Red Sea – parting the waters of the Jordan with his mantle (cloak) so that the two of them could cross over to the other side. 

Previously in the scripture, Elijah has identified Elisha as his successor. It is nearing time for their transfer of power. 

We know to pay attention to that which is repeated, in this case three times each, by Elijah, Elisha, and the company of prophets in each town.

Elijah gave Elisha three chances to leave him, saying, “Stay here, for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.” And then Jericho, and then the Jordan. 

Each of the three times, Elisha replied, “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.”

At each place, Bethel, Jericho, and the Jordan, Elisha was approached by the company of prophets. In each place they asked the same question, and Elisha gave the same answer. When asked, “Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?” Elisha said, “Yes, I know; keep silent.” 

Were Elijah and Elisha protecting themselves? Protecting the other? From the painful truth of death? The painful reality of change? Were they masters of living in the moment?

Eventually, when it was time, both men acknowledged the truth. As is often the case, the mentor hoped to give his student one final gift. Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I may do for you before I am taken from you.” Elisha said, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit.”  Elijah responded, “You have asked a hard thing, yet if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not.” 

How do we interpret Elisha’s response to Elijah’s offer? Was he greedy to ask for a double portion? – or – was he simply acknowledging his acceptance of his call? – knowing that the work ahead of him would require an especially strong alliance with God and the wisdom of those that had gone before him. I lean toward the latter possibilities. It is not greed that drives true prophets but the desire to succeed in their God-inspired mission.

And Elijah – was he being stingy in responding that this was a hard request to grant? No. Elijah simply understood the difference in what requests he was capable of fulfilling and what was only for God to grant. After Elijah is carried up into the sky we are told that his prophetic powers were passed on to Elisha. 

Let us shift our attention to our Gospel reading. Much of what is written in these verses of Luke’s gospel were long-standing traditions of the time, based in scripture. Jesus is not only authorizing others to do the Godly work of peace-making and justice-making but directing it. Jesus warns that the work is dangerous and at the same time he tells them the work is urgent. The danger does not preclude the necessary action. Greet no one on the road; do not delay. Find a safe household where your peace rests and then stay put until it is time to leave that place. Do not search for better accommodations or more lavish meals. Be content with what is provided. The instruction to “Take nothing for the journey” forces them to live humbly and rely completely on God for their ministry.  

The common theme in our two readings this morning are the prophets that served as mentors for the people of God.  In the Jewish tradition, and the Christian tradition, our prophets are known to exhibit key attributes. Prophets: 

• Speak truth to power

• Are capable of performing miracles

• Risk violent confrontation in the pursuit of justice

• Discern the voice of God

• Overcome moments of self-doubt

  
  

From week to week I struggle with a balancing act; when to provide comfort, when to move us out of our comfort zones. When to push for action and when to offer hope. I often remind myself that I am speaking to a mature population, the vast majority of those present being in their seventh or eighth or ninth decade. However, there are more youthful members among us and in our families and in our communities. As a whole, we as a family of God, as a community of caring, justice-seeking individuals are capable of, and responsible for, these five prophetic tasks. 

As Jesus taught, we are responsible for bringing the kin-dom of God near to all people and all places. Jesus sent the Twelve, then he sent the Seventy-two. Now we are the ones being sent. 

Sometimes life is exhilarating. Sometimes life is exhausting. What we learn, hopefully, is to keep our focus, to keep moving forward, to continue on the path. When we stumble, we get up, dust ourselves off, and begin again. As often as it takes. Each day is an opportunity for a new beginning. The important thing is that we do not give up on ourselves and do not give up on each other. We are responsible first for our own interactions and then to help hold others accountable. 

Those of us in these pews and online are for the most part, comfortable. There are so very many in this world that are vulnerable and cast aside. Let us re-visit the closing words in the Luke scripture. Jesus is quoted as saying, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. Indeed, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will hurt you.”  Nothing will hurt you… that promise was not only for the seventy-two. That promise is for everyone. We need to continue to advocate for and care for those that are not comfortable, not safe, not respected. That includes: 

• Standing up for Black and Brown-skinned people being targeted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and being denied constitutional due process

• Advocating for transgender awareness and rights and for the safety and well-being of all LGBTQi people

• Joining our voices with others in protest – either in person or by calling and emailing our elected officials – refusing to take critical Medicaid and Medicare dollars and Affordable Care benefits from the neediest to give tax cuts to the wealthiest

• Working tirelessly to end wars and violence at home and abroad… 

• Supporting Tribal Sovereignty of our Indigenous siblings here in Maine – and everywhere

We are all God’s people. Let us always remember the past, constantly appraise the present, and tirelessly protect the future. For all God’s people, it is imperative that we continue to: 

• Speak truth to power

• Perform miracles

• Risk violent confrontation in the pursuit of justice

• Discern the voice of God

• Overcome moments of self-doubt

May we all pray for the wisdom and compassion of Elijah and Elisha. Of Jesus. For ourselves. For others. And for the courage to speak and act prophetically, drawing on the wisdom of those who have shown us the way. 

Amen

Rev. TJ Mack – June 29, 2025