2 Kings 2:9–12 (ESV): When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me.”

I really like this section of verses. Here Elijah asks a wonderful question that is at the core of impartation. It is common and in the flow of God’s desire and design. The father asks the son, “What can I do for you?”

In so many spiritual arenas, churches and relationships, these words are so often inverted. It is so often the expectation that the father is asking or telling the sons, “This is what I want you to do for me.” No doubt in leadership and development of people, there must be direction and delegation given to move forward.

In this instance though, think now, here is a man who is about to leave the earth who has been responsible for being God’s voice to the nations, doing miracles and powerfully representing the voice and power of God on the earth. Do you think he should be concerned about how people are going to mess up what he built? He isn’t thinking about his legacy or someone fetching him something for his comfort. He isn’t even asking people to tidy up his unfinished business.

As fathers do, he looks to care for his son. Elijah’s last and parting relational desire is to meet a need that Elisha has.

This passage is a rare and unique look inside of scripture. We get to see inside the fruit of discipleship.

Now, I don’t use the word discipleship loosely. I really don’t even like the word because of all the hoopla attached to it. When we think of discipleship in modern terms, especially in America, we think of a book study. We have dissolved discipleship to an act of singularity. Me and a book and a growth in knowledge.

Listen carefully, we have no picture at all of Jesus telling the disciples to go read something, grow in knowledge, and do something good with it. Chances are, early on the disciples probably didn’t even know how to read. Discipleship was an impartation from one to another. The transfer of truth inside of intimate relationship.    

I often exchange the word discipleship with the words “spiritual formation.”

Let me encourage a healthier definition of discipleship… or better, spiritual formation.

2 Thessalonians 2:7-8 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

True spiritual formation is the transfer of knowledge inside of intimate relationship. The more intimate, the greater the transfer. Sounds almost biblical, doesn’t it?

There are two. The messenger and the receiver. The one who imparts and the one who receives the impartation. Now inside of healthy relationships there is reciprocity for sure. But as a whole there is a consistent flow from one into the other.

You can say all day long what you are in the way of an imparter. But it is how the impartee characterizes the relationship that is telling. I can say I am a father or a pastor, or an apostle – none of that even matters compared to what those I am called to lead, call me.

How do those whom I am serving feel about our relationship?

Acts 20:36-38 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.

Guys, this is how Paul discipled. This was his hope in every place he ministered. The transfer of life-giving knowledge inside of intimacy. A deep sense of knowing the truth of God running alongside a deep sense of knowing each other.

Now back to Elisha and Elijah’s soon parting. The question could be asked, “David are you just projecting stuff onto Elisha and Elijah to make a point?” Well, I could and would be in agreement with you except for this one phrase uttered in desperation by Elisha.

2 Kings 2:12 And Elisha saw it and he cried, “My father, my father!”

Elisha was watching his spiritual father depart for good. He was calling out from a place he had known and grown to love deeply, and that is a place of intimacy with Elijah. It is the same we see in the relationship that Paul had with the Elders in Ephesus.

It is crazy and difficult to think about Elijah having a close relationship and tenderly imparting into Elisha. This is the Prophet who kills hundreds of Baal servants and stands strong against the current of evil seemingly alone. He seems rogue and unpredictable.

…

God is fierce and tender at the same time. Jesus is a Lion and a Lamb at the same time. The Holy Spirit shakes and quakes with universe creating power and at the same time sings tender hymns of love within your spirit.

You too can be fierce and tender. You can be strong and intimate; we can be like God in this. Spiritual formation demands it. This is not something to deem remarkable and pass by with moderate inspection. I tell you the only way to raise world changers for Jesus is to employ the methods of Elijah and Paul, Jesus too.        

Matthew 11:12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.

Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”  

Father, thank You for making us to need intimacy. You showed this to us in the garden of Eden. Help us to see that spiritual formation takes place inside of intimacy. Please give to us the courage to break down the barriers that we have erected in our hearts that keep us from building trusting relationships with spiritual fathers and mothers. Thank You for making possible all things through Jesus.   


Blessings,

Pastor D