The Sacrifice of Service

1 Kings 19:19-21

“19 So he set out from there, and found Elisha son of Shaphat, who was plowing. There were twelve yoke of oxen ahead of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle over him. 20 He left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” Then Elijah said to him, “Go back again; for what have I done to you?” 21 He returned from following him, took the yoke of oxen, and slaughtered them; using the equipment from the oxen, he boiled their flesh, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out and followed Elijah, and became his servant.”

Elijah threw his mantle or cloak, made of hair, over Elisha as he plowed a field.  This act signified that Elisha had not only been chosen to be Elijah’s disciple but that he had also been adopted as Elijah’s own (a person would throw his mantle on a child to indicate adoption).

When he asked Elijah for permission to go back and kiss his father and mother, Elijah rebuked him.  Because of this, Elisha sacrificed all 12 of his oxen in repentance.  

Then he set out to follow Elijah, and he became his servant.

Christians are to serve Christ.  To serve Christ is to love and serve others.  To love and serve others is to follow Christ.

“Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.” John 12:26

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)