A helper

The Lord had appeared to Elijah. He told him to anoint Elisha as the prophet who would take over from him. So Elijah went from there and found Elisha plowing with oxen. Elijah took off his cloak and placed it on Elisha as a sign that God’s Spirit of power was upon him.

Elisha asked if he could first say goodbye to his father and mother. Elijah replied, “All right, go.”

So Elisha went to say goodbye to everyone. He killed his oxen and used the wood from the plow to make a fire to cook the meat. After giving the meat to the people, he left to become Elijah’s helper.

Will I have to leave home to follow Jesus?

“Come and follow Me!” Jesus said as He called the men who would become His disciples (see Mark 1:17–20 and Mark 2:14). The call was so strong that none of them asked Jesus how long they would be away or where they were going. God had been preparing their hearts, and when Jesus called them, they left everything and followed Him.

God had been watching Elisha and knew that he was the right person to take over from Elijah. Elisha did not seem surprised or confused, almost as though he had been expecting God to do something important in his life.

When people talk about following Jesus, it doesn’t mean that you must wait outside with your suitcase packed. It means that you should follow the example of Jesus and live the way He lived. As the Lord prepares your heart, you too will be ready to serve Him if He calls you to a special task.

Verse for today

Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age … and in the age to come, eternal life.” Mark 10:29-30

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