In 2 Kings 2: 1-14 Elijah and Elisha went to say goodbye to the prophets at Bethel and Jericho from there the made they way to the river Jordan. There Elijah took his cloak rolled it up and struck the water, and it parted from one side to the other.
Elijah and Elisha walked across on the dry ground of the river bed of the Jordan. In conversation together as they walked, Elisha asked Elijah if he could inherit a double portion of his spirit. Elijah replied, “You have asked for 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.”
As they continued on their way, a chariot of fire came between them and caught up Elijah and took him into heaven. This is seen spiritually as entrance into the Promised Land and entrance into the kingdom of God.
Therefore because Elisha saw this, he duly received the portion of Elijah’s spirit that he had requested. Afterwards he had to prove it to himself, so he took the cloak and struck the water of the Jordan with it and immediately the water parted, just as it had done earlier when Elijah struck it.
Elisha had followed the example of Elijah in the spirit of Elijah.
We see a similarity in the New Testament when Jesus called his disciples together and gave them his authority to preach the message of the kingdom and heal the sick. On their return they told Jesus how the demons were subject to them in Jesus' name. Jesus rejoiced with them in the spirit thanking God for their witness. The disciples had followed the example of Jesus, in the Spirit of Jesus.
Today like the disciples of Jesus we have been commissioned to take out the message about Jesus and to pray for the sick, following the example of Jesus and his disciples in the Spirit of Jesus, God our Father and Holy Spirit.
Faith and Grace
A man came to Jesus and asked if he would heal his son, who was suffering from epilepsy, he went on to say that he had brought him to his disciples and they could not heal him. We read of the father’s persistant faith, he had not been put off by the disciples inability to heal his son. Jesus healed the man's son of epilepsy.
The disciples asked Jesus why they could not heal the boy? Jesus’ response was to point out to his disciples that they had turned away in unbelief resulting in having little faith. If they had the faith a small as a mustard seed they could remove mountains. Matthew 17: 14-21
Mustard Seeds
There are two species that florish in the Israel: a plant and a tree, beside the black mustard which is cultivated as a condiment. All produce minute seeds. Unger's Dictionary.
The mustard seeds of faith are part of our inheritance as we are heirs of the kingdom of God. By having faith in Jesus we are beneficiaries of the last will and testament of Jesus Christ. Hebrews 9: 16, 17.
On Monday evening 28th February we watched the local TV news program, ‘Look North’ An item of news that drew my attention to it was about a lady Joan Nicholson had died leaving her whole estate to ‘The Lakeland Housing Trust’ in total £1,000,000. The Trust buys and renovates properties in the Lake District for Local for people to be able to afford to live there. The Lakeland Trust and the people who will live in these homes are the beneficiaries of Joan Nicholson's estate.
Jesus has bequeathed his whole estate to those who have faith in him. The King of Kings, The Lord of Lords, God our Redeemer and Saviour. Creator of all things invisible and visible and the sustainer of life.
We have moved from being commoners to becoming members of the Royal family of God. The recourses that belong to Jesus are now ours, we are entitled to use them to the glory of God: Christ-like life.
In a state of grace
Grace means undeserved giving from God. It also is about entering into a state of grace, which is to be at ease, at peace, resting, unworried and having liberty to act on God’s behalf.
We have been given authority to remove all obstacles that cause obstruction whether it’s a sickness or a problem. We can look to and rest upon our inherited promises:
"I will never fail you nor forsake you." Hebrews 13:5
"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do, because I go to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son." John 14: 12, 13
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places. Ephesians 1: 3
"Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed." James 5:16
Prayer is the key that engages the action of the Word and the Holy Spirit together releasing that person from the sickness or problem.
It is like turning the key that starts the engine of a car. After we have started the engine, we then move the car forward by engaing the gears.
Some sickness will persist unless we fast as well as prayer.
We are called to serve in a spirit of compassion and in humility. Always to seek the lowest place.
