Are we mentoring others to follow our example?

“And Elisha saw it, and he cried out, ‘My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!’ So he saw him no more. And he took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces.” 2 Kings 2:12

Elisha was anointed and mentored by the prophet Elijah to take Elijah’s place as God’s prophet to Israel (I Kings 19:16-21). “When the Lord was about to take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind… Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal” (2 Kings 2:1). Elijah asked Elisha three times to stay behind to test Elisha’s commitment to him and to his calling as Elijah’s successor and each time Elisha responded, “I will not leave you” (2:2-6). When Elijah asked Elisha what he may do for him, Elisha replied, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me” (2:9). Elisha’s request was not for more of the Holy Spirit’s power or for a greater ministry than Elijah’s, but for a greater degree of the inner spirit that motivated Elijah. He wanted the same attitude that Elijah had that enabled him to touch peoples’ lives so deeply. Elijah focused on God’s mission for his life, not his abilities or charisma. Both of these men humbly served the Lord and provided a great model for ministry. 

Elijah told Elisha that he had “asked a hard thing,” but if he sees Elijah taken away, it would be done for him (2:10). “Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven” (2:11). As Elisha watched Elijah’s departure, he cried out, “My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen” (2:12)! When Elisha refers to Elijah as his “father,” he is expressing his sadness as he watches his mentor and dear friend leave him.

Christians need to ask themselves, “Whom am I discipling or mentoring to follow me?” Like Elijah did with Elisha, we must pass on what the Lord has taught us to faithful believers so they can disciple others long after we are gone (cf. 2 Tim. 2:2).