Proper 8C + 6.30.13 + Spirited Confidence

M. Campbell-Langdell

All Santos, Oxnard

(2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14; Ps. 77:1-2, 11-20; Gal. 5:1, 13-25; Luke 9:51-62)

As you may know, Alene and I have just returned from a trip, and we were so grateful for that wonderful gift of time off!  This particular trip was a big road trip wherein we drove all the way to Oklahoma to see a friend’s ordination and back, stopping at National Parks or to visit with people along the way.  We camped, we stayed with friends, and stayed in a couple of motels.  One of our favorite things to do on a road trip is to listen to books on CD.  The gripping stories just help the miles pass by so fast and it adds a little excitement to the vacation.  So this trip we listened to a couple of John Grishams and a Dan Brown.  And in each book, I was struck by the worldly values that are often both lifted up and critiqued in popular fiction.  There are always the power-and-money-hungry lawyers, or government officials, or whathaveyou.  And there is often the little guy (or gal) who shows them up and shows that power and money aren’t the end-all, be-all.  But you do get a sense that our culture really does value that power and money focus—if you can angle for more, and don’t, you’re a fool. 

By contrast, the reason for our journey was principally to go see a friend be ordained to the diaconate in Oklahoma (which meant that as well as camping gear, we also brought albs and stoles!  But anyway…).  And in that ordination service, I was reminded once more that we as Christians, as all ministers, lay and ordained, really do sign on to a very different set of values, a very different way of life that has completely different goals.  This is the Spirit-centered life that Paul is getting at in the Galatians passage for today, a life that is about following God and God’s will more than personal power or prestige.  A life of service, which is basically what the Greek word “diaconia”, or the role of a deacon means, is also the life of every Christian.  We are called to follow Jesus, to encounter him as his face is set for Jerusalem and put our hand on the plow right alongside him.  Does that mean we don’t have family obligations still?  I don’t think so, but the spirit-centered life means we put God’s will first and then see where we are directed, rather than making up our minds or creating our own agendas without guidance from the Spirit. 

Now, looking at the 2 Kings passage today, and seeing what is happening, you might say that Elisha is self-centered, or flesh-centered rather than Spirit-centered, since when he knows that Elijah is going to God he asks for a double-portion of his inheritance.  It seems like an overly confident, almost greedy request.  But notice—he is asking for a double portion of his Spirit.  Because Spirit, not power or money or other prestige, is what a prophet has to give, to impart.  A connection to God with which to heal others and share about God, to be able to serve.  One commentator points out that this double-portion means that Elisha wants to receive twice what the first-born son would usually get from his father, so the point is that Elisha gets enough of Elijah’s spirit to make it overwhelmingly clear that he has truly the one to continue the prophetic work.^[1]  And as soon as Elijah is taken up and Elisha tears his garment and takes Elijah’s mantle, what happens but a parting of the water, remind you of something?  Not only is this a reminder of other important moments, like the parting of the Red Sea, it is also just exactly what Elijah just did.  This really shows that Elisha is the rightful heir.

But the purpose of his desire to inherit a double portion, the reason for his confidence, had nothing to do with personal gain.  No, Elisha goes on to use his gifts to heal and remind people of their connection with the Living God, not for his personal aggrandizement. 
And I think God does call us to be bold in following Jesus and bold in claiming our inheritance to do God’s work.  We should each grasp for a double-portion, but not for ourselves and our personal glory, but for the glory of God.

Now, this is a good concept, but how can we figure out whether our confidence or our drive in a particular area is spirit- or flesh-oriented?  I think this is where Paul’s fruits of the spirit and works of the flesh come in.  If you have a goal that you think is great, but it brings about strife, jealousy, dissentions or any other of these spoiled fruits, you might need to think again about the course you are on.  It may be an agenda you have set that is not the path God would lead you on.

If, however you are not sure about whether a goal is for you or for the Kingdom, and it is bringing about faithfulness, as we see with Elijah, or peace or joy, or any other of the fruits of the Spirit, you have a pretty good sign that you’re on the right track.  I use this all the time to discern the big things in my life.  Does this situation bring me and others joy?  Do I feel at peace, or do I feel churned up?
An interesting thing about today’s gospel is that we don’t exactly know how the would-be followers of Jesus responded.  Did they readjust their priorities in order to follow Jesus?  Did they choose to orient their lives to the direction of the Spirit?  What ending would you give for that story?  How is God guiding you today?

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[1] Kathleen A. Robertson Farmer, “Exegetical Perspective: 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14,” FOTW Year C, Vol. 3, 175.