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1 When the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. 2 Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; the LORD has sent me to Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. 3 The company of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and asked, “Do you know that the LORD is going to take your master from you today?” “Yes, I know,” Elisha replied, “so be quiet.” 4 Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here, Elisha; the LORD has sent me to Jericho.” And he replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So they went to Jericho. 5 The company of the prophets at Jericho went up to Elisha and asked him, “Do you know that the LORD is going to take your master from you today?” “Yes, I know,” he replied, “so be quiet.” 6 Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here; the LORD has sent me to the Jordan.” And he replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them walked on. 7 Fifty men from the company of the prophets went and stood at a distance, facing the place where Elijah and Elisha had stopped at the Jordan. 8 Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up and struck the water with it. The water divided to the right and to the left, and the two of them crossed over on dry ground. 9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied. 10 “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise, it will not.” 11 As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. 12 Elisha saw this and cried out, “My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his garment and tore it in two. (2 Kings 2:1-12 NIV Bible)

Happy Wednesday, dear Friend. May this point of the work week bring you a blessing of enlightenment and truth.

A key component that I failed to share on Monday is that when Jesus underwent His transfiguration in front of three of His disciples, He was sharing the hope of life beyond this life and a life in another realm, that of Heaven itself. That the three disciples saw two long-dead heroes of the faith live and in person, spoke to them about life, God's life that has no end for those who come to life in Him and die in Him. The Old Testament lesson also stresses this, for it deals with the pain and grief one feels when one knows that death is coming. Even with an advantage most do not have; God made it known when Elijah would be taken up to Heaven in a whirlwind, but that did not make it easier for those involved. The old prophet, Elijah, had served God well. Israel was a better nation because of his faith and faithful leadership to God. He singlehandedly led a fight against idol worship that challenged God. The prophets of Baal were not match for God and God's servant, Elijah. Four hundred priests of Baal lost their lives after they lost an embarrassing content where God demonstrated His power against these make-believe gods. His faithfulness to God irked the king and queen of Israel, Ahab and Jezebel, and this story closes out the story of Elijah and introduces us to the new prophet Elisha.

Elisha was strong in his faith and was a faithful follower of God; so much so that God chose him to follow the great Elijah. Yet, Elisha is human and hurts to know that a dear mentor is about to exit this earth and enter into Heaven. Elisha's emotions mirror our own struggles. We face moments of loss, uncertainty, and even a feeling of abandonment. Elijah's departure feels like a whirlwind, leaving us grasping for stability and meaning. Yet, amidst the chaos, hope endures. Elisha doesn't despair; he cries out, "My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!" (2 Kings 2:12). This desperate plea echoes our yearning for guidance and assurance in turbulent times.

Just as Elisha found hope in the midst of loss, the disciples experience hope amidst fear on the mountaintop of Transfiguration. Jesus, their mentor and leader, is bathed in dazzling light, revealing his divine nature. This glimpse of glory strengthens their faith, preparing them for the challenges ahead. While the Transfiguration is extraordinary, the message translates to our daily lives. No matter how ordinary our days may seem, God's glory is present, offering us glimpses of hope and strength.

Elisha inherits Elijah's mantle, symbolizing the transfer of responsibility and spiritual authority. Similarly, we are entrusted with the mantle of faith, called to carry on the legacy of love and service established by Christ. This doesn't require extraordinary acts; it calls for faithfulness in the ordinary. A kind word, a listening ear, a helping hand – these seemingly small actions become our "fire chariots," carrying love and hope into the world.

So what to do? Reclaim the faith in you that says that hope endures even in loss. We should not despair in the face of challenges. Remember, just like Elisha, we are not alone. God is with us; His presence and hope endure, even when life feels like a whirlwind. Remember to seek glimpses of glory. We can find moments of reflection and connection with God, just like the disciples on the mountaintop. These experiences can rekindle our faith and offer us fresh perspective. Remember to embrace our mantle; we are entrusted with the legacy of love and service. We should look for opportunities, however small, to share God's love and hope with the world around us.

PRAYER: Loving God, grant us the strength to face our challenges with courage and hope, just as Elisha did in the face of Elijah's departure. Remind us of your presence, even in the ordinary moments, and empower us to be vessels of your love and faithfulness in the world; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord. YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Carry the hope of Elisha and the light of the Transfiguration, remembering that even the smallest act of love, like a gentle breeze, can ripple outwards, creating a wave of hope and transforming the world around us.

I love you and I thank God for you,

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.