The types and shadows pointing to Jesus and his people
are thick in 1 Kings 16 - 2 Kings 2. Viewed one way, it’s quite easy to see
Elijah/Elisha as a foreshadowing of John the Baptist/Jesus. And viewed another
way it’s quite easy to see Elijah/Elisha as a foreshadowing of Jesus/his
disciples (the Church.) Both views are rich with import and glory, but we’ll
focus here on the latter type.
Both Elijah and Jesus were prophets of God and forcefully
spoke truth to power; both performed wonders, raised the dead and miraculously
fed people. Elijah had his “school of the prophets” and Jesus had his
disciples. Both were taken up to heaven in glorious fashion. And both left a double
portion of their spirits on earth, Elijah upon Elisha and Jesus upon his
disciples. Some have reckoned that Elisha did twice as many miracles as Elijah,
and Jesus himself prophesied that his disciples would do “greater works” than
his (John 14:12.) The prophets recognized Elisha’s resemblance to Elijah (2
Kings 2:15) just as the Jews recognized the disciples’ resemblance to Jesus
(Acts 4:13.)
So take heart,
Christian. Our prophet, the Lord Jesus Christ did indeed make a glorious exit
from earth, but soon after poured out upon his people a “double portion” of his
Spirit, enabling us to carry on the kingdom-building work he began in his
incarnation. It is not presumptuous to think that we will do “greater works”
than Jesus as we pray, love, serve and preach under the direction of his
Spirit. Rather, it is simply believing what Jesus promised. To which we say
(as always) “Lord, we believe. Help us with our unbelief.”
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