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Super-size my spirit, please! 2 Kings 2:1-14 Jezebel threatens to kill Elijah, for she holds him responsible for the death of her favored prophets of Baal. Under God’s protection, Elijah escapes, but he is mighty discouraged and worn out by the hard work of being a prophet. However, his zeal for the Lord wins out, and on Elijah travels to continue his prophetic preaching against the immorality and idolatry of the government and nation under King Ahab’s rule. Along the way, God appoints a successor to Elijah, the young Elisha son of Saphat (1 Kings 19:19-21). This apprentice stays with Elijah as the two continue to fight for the renewal of the covenant the people once made with God, but have repeatedly violated and forsaken. (Is any of this still relevant for us today, do you think?) The time has come for Elijah to be taken up to God, as the good and faithful servant of the Lord has completed his appointed tasks. Elijah instructs Elisha to just stay here, for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel. (2 K. 2:2). Not on your life, responds Elisha, I will not leave you. (2) On they go to Bethel, where again Elijah tells his servant to stay behind. Not a chance, Elisha replies, and on they go to Jericho. Once there, the third test: stay here, Elisha, while I go on to the Jordan river. And yes, a third time Elisha refuses to stay behind. All the while that these things are taking place, a small band of prophets, also adherents of Elijah, keep adding to Elisha’s testing with the repeated mocking question: Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you? (3, 5), and the adamant Elisha retorts with a very determined: Yes, I know; keep silent. (3, 5) The testing is over, and upon arriving at the Jordan river, Elijah prepares to hand over the mantle of his position as the anointed prophet of God. Elijah turns to his faithful, devoted, committed friend Elisha and asks: Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you, to which Elisha replies: Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit. (9) A double share, that’s what Elisha asks for. A super-sized share of the spirit of God - wouldn’t we all like to receive that? Though a great prophet, Elijah knew that granting such a request was not within his powers or authority. That was to come from God, and only from God. The whirlwind lifts Elijah into the heavens, and God does anoint Elisha with all of the prophetic responsibilities, with all of the spirit he has requested. Elisha strikes the Jordan river with his mantle, and the waters part enabling him to cross to the other side. The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha, declare those followers who previously mocked him. (15) You have to be careful what you ask for, we oft hear, because you just may receive it! Elisha’s request brings with it the awesome responsibility of serving God, no matter the risks. Super-sized spirit, super-sized risks. Can we still say: I’m lovin’ it?  - Pastor Piet - July 1, 2007