Elijah exits to the left.

an old book with a picture of a man on it

Most people are intrigued, inspired, and encouraged by the life and story of Elijah.

He has a stunning start to his ministry, appearing from nowhere with the bold announcement, “No rain until I say so!” (1 Kings 17:1), before disappearing for a short while. You will know the story well, but my attention is drawn to an unknown farmer called Elisha. I am drawn to him because Elisha’s story is a profound reminder of what it means to follow Christ, even in the face of insurmountable difficulty. It is a call to radical obedience, to leave behind the familiar and step into the unknown. It is a journey that demands perseverance—a long road that tests our faith and commitment. It is also a passing of the mantle from one generation to the next, carrying forward the apostolic, ends-of-the-earth mission of God.

A Life-Changing Encounter

ELIJAH arrives on scene. The camera shifts focus to ELISHA, ploughing a field with twelve oxen.

The day started like any other, but on this particular day, Elisha was about to have an encounter that would change his life in an instant. You may be able to relate, thinking of your own encounter with Christ. One moment, he was in the fields, gripping the rough wooden handles of the plough, with twelve powerful yoke of oxen straining before him, tearing open the earth for new growth. These twelve oxen worked with the efficiency of a John Deere 9RX 830 Tractor—maximum performance! The back-breaking hard work and the hum of daily responsibility—this was the life Elisha knew. Yet, in a single moment, everything shifted. This can happen to you too. The steady life Elisha, the farmer, was accustomed to was about to be uprooted by a call far greater than the land beneath his feet.

The Call of Elijah

Taking up the story in 1 Kings 19:19, as already mentioned, we find Elisha ploughing with twelve yoke of oxen—a sign of wealth, security, and prominence. Yet, he wasn’t standing back, overseeing the work from a distance; Elisha was walking in the dirt, working the last pair himself, embedded in the life he knew so well. Then, “lights, camera—action!” Elijah appeared, walking across the freshly ploughed land, approaching Elisha silently from behind. There was no dramatic music—without a word, Elijah cast his mantle, a rough camel-hair cloak symbolising his prophetic office, over Elisha’s shoulders. This was not an invitation; it was a summons. The mantle that had weathered wilderness and persecution was now Elisha’s to bear. His life, as he knew it, was over.

Radical Obedience

The tools of his former life were gone, consumed by fire. It was a radical, audacious turn of events, and there would be no return.

As a Christian, this has also happened to you. You are called to take up your cross and follow Jesus—“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23)—and that is where your adventure begins. Elisha’s journey also began at this place of unexpected, uninvited encounter.

Elisha’s response was immediate; he didn’t hesitate. You have to wonder about this—did he already know Elijah, or had he heard about him? Was there some sense of God’s tangible presence? Whatever it was, Elisha didn’t cling to the life he had built, which, at first glance—with twelve oxen—appears to have been a wealthy one. Instead, he slaughtered the oxen, burned the ploughs, and offered their meat as a feast. In this dramatic act, he wasn’t simply saying farewell—he was severing ties with his past. The tools of his former life were gone, consumed by fire. It was a radical, audacious turn of events, and there would be no return. His friends and family, likely gathered to eat the meal, were witnesses to something much larger: Elisha had chosen the uncertain path of obedience to God’s call, leaving behind considerable wealth, security, and the familiar rhythm of farm life for the unpredictable calling of a prophet.

The Cost of Discipleship

This is not a casual invitation. The call of God often demands total surrender.

This radical break with the past is not just Elisha’s story—it’s a vivid illustration of the call to discipleship. When Christ calls, He calls for everything. Emmanuel Church—my home church—embodies this value at the core of all they do: following Jesus whenever He speaks, going wherever He leads, and doing so with generosity, courage, a sense of family, and honouring one another.

There are some things that, when we encounter God, just seem like the appropriate response. Elijah simply placed the robe on Elisha and left! Elisha’s response, stirred by the moment, was a clean break. Just as Elisha burned the ploughs, we too are called to leave behind the things that hold us back. Jesus says, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). This is not a casual invitation. The call of God often demands total surrender. For the Church, this means we cannot follow Christ half-heartedly, holding on to the things that bring us comfort or control. There is no room for nominalism, nor should we reserve it for a rainy day. The question we must ask is: What are the “ploughs” we need to burn in our own lives? What must we let go of to fully embrace and walk in the obedience to which God is calling us?

The Journey of Perseverance

Elisha’s journey began with the burning of the ploughs. He followed Elijah, serving him faithfully, learning, watching, waiting. The next time we encounter them together, Elijah is nearing the end of his life. They set out on a final journey, moving from Gilgal to Bethel, then Jericho, and finally to the Jordan River—each step filled with the weight of Israel’s sacred history. It is an exhausting journey, but they would have talked, and talked, and talked. Elisha walks beside Elijah, refusing to leave his side, knowing what is to come. At each stop, the sons of the prophets ask the same question: “Do you know that today the Lord will take your master from over you?” Elisha’s answer is always the same: “Yes, I know it; keep quiet” (2 Kings 2:3). His resolve is clear—he will not be deterred, no matter the uncertainty ahead.

The Mantle Passed On

Like Elisha, we must be prepared for the long road of spiritual maturity, knowing that faith is often tested through difficulty.

For us, Elisha’s unwavering commitment is a reminder that discipleship is a long and testing road. We live in a digital world of instant gratification, where everything is ‘now’ and where everything can be ‘fixed’ or reset, but the journey of following Christ requires perseverance. Like Elisha, we must be prepared for the long road of spiritual maturity, knowing that faith is often tested through difficulty. Elisha’s two- or three-day trek from Gilgal to the Jordan, a journey of about 25 miles, reflects the long walk of faith—one that demands patience, endurance, and trust in God’s leading.

As the drama with Elijah comes to an end at the Jordan River, the moment of transition arrives. Unexpectedly, Elijah takes his mantle and strikes the water, parting it, just as Joshua had done centuries before. All eyes are on them from both sides of the river—the prophets are watching and pondering. On the other side, Elijah turns to Elisha and asks, “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you” (2 Kings 2:9). Elisha’s request is bold: “Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me.” What had Elisha seen? Elijah’s obedience? His faith? His anointing? Or was it his character and the obvious intimacy with God?

This wasn’t a selfish request for power—it was the inheritance of the firstborn, the right to continue Elijah’s ministry. Elisha was asking to fully carry the mantle, to take on the responsibility that had weighed on Elijah for so long. Elijah responds, “You have asked a hard thing, yet if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so.” That’s the challenge—how much do you want this, Elisha? Keep your eyes open.

The Final Test

Here’s the Hollywood moment: as they continue walking, the heavens suddenly erupt. Cue the loud music! A chariot of fire, pulled by horses of fire—far more spectacular than twelve oxen—descends between them.

In a whirlwind, Elijah is taken up into heaven. Elisha stands alone, watching as his mentor disappears from sight. Calling out, “My father, my father!” grief overwhelms him for a moment. But then he sees the mantle, fallen to the ground—the exact same mantle that had once rested on his shoulders in the field. Elisha picks it up and walks back to the Jordan. Striking the water with Elijah’s mantle, he cries out, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” The water parts once again. The prophetic mantle has passed. Memo to all prophets: Please welcome Elisha, Elijah’s replacement!

Taking Up the Mantle

We, like Elisha, are also called to take up the mantle—not for our own glory (let’s not make that mistake), but for the sake of the gospel. Not a literal mantle, but the full, extravagant riches of the grace of God, demonstrated and displayed in the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Church must be a place where new leaders are raised, where the wisdom of the past is passed on, and where the power of the Spirit is sought not for personal gain, but to continue the work of God in the world.

Such a “mantle” is ours to take up—and an invitation for us to step forward in faith.

Andrew?

Two fish

I think Andrew is one of the ‘main-player’ apostles who often gets overlooked in our preaching. When was the last time you heard someone reference his involvement in the ministry of Jesus?

It’s an interesting feature that, as the story unfolds, we find the man who would draw someone who would become one of the greatest apostles to Christ.

Andrew was on board with the greatest prophet according to Jesus, John the Baptist. The brother of Simon Peter, Andrew was also a fisherman by trade and was very accustomed to life by the Sea of Galilee, yet, his life was destined for anything but predictability, especially as a disciple of the fiery prophet from the wilderness whose message of repentance stirred the hearts of the nation in anticipation of the coming Kingdom of God. It was in this setting that Andrew first encountered Jesus.

Andrew’s Encounter with Jesus

John’s Gospel tells us that one day, as John the Baptist saw Jesus walking by, he shouted out, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” (John 1:36). Intrigued and moved by these words, Andrew, along with another disciple, followed Jesus. What moved Andrew to leave John the Baptist by the river and follow Jesus? We do not know. Perhaps it was curiosity, but certainly, it was the leading of the Holy Spirit, who is always drawing mankind to follow Jesus, as you probably know.

Andrew was following Jesus discreetly at a distance when Jesus turned and asked, “What are you seeking?” (John 1:38). Andrew’s life suddenly took a dramatic turn. Clumsily, Andrew responded, “Where are you staying?” to which Jesus invited him, “Come and see!” It was a dramatic “come” – not so far removed from when his brother would see Jesus walking on the water and receive a similar invitation. Whenever you engage with the Lord, He is also saying to you, “Come!”

That day, with that invitation, Andrew spent the day with Jesus and quickly realised that He was the Messiah, the Anointed One Israel had been waiting for. With excitement, Andrew found his brother Simon and told him, “WE HAVE FOUND THE MESSIAH!” (John 1:41 – excited text by me!). This simple act of bringing his brother to Jesus marked the beginning of a mission that would change the world and introduce us to one of the Spirit-inspired authors of Scripture.

Andrew’s Role in Jesus’ Ministry

As one of the very first to follow Jesus, Andrew had an openness to Jesus that is inspiring, especially as he had no idea of the adventure that lay ahead. Over the next few years, he witnessed an abundance of miracles, heard profound teachings, and found himself in the midst of some of the most significant events in human history.

One such moment was during the feeding of the five thousand—a day that started like any other but ended with astonishment. Amongst the thousands gathered, and now hungry, Andrew had noticed a young boy with five barley loaves and two fish. Though unsure how such a small amount could feed so many, he brought the boy to Jesus, saying, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” (John 6:9). This act of faith, though seemingly small, played a crucial role in one of Jesus’ most famous miracles. It demonstrates Andrew’s willingness to bring whatever he had, no matter how insignificant it seemed, to the Lord—even though the dinner that fed the multitude belonged to the boy! (The fish didn’t look like the ones in the picture above though!)

A Quiet yet Significant Influence

Andrew’s context as a disciple was unique. While his brother Peter often took the spotlight—or had it thrust upon him—Andrew was content to work behind the scenes, quietly leading others to Jesus. Whether it was his brother, the boy with the loaves and fish, or the Greeks who sought to meet Jesus (John 12:20-22), Andrew consistently pointed others to the Messiah. His actions reflect a heart deeply committed to Christ, dedicated to bringing others to the Saviour, regardless of the recognition he received. He showed a great depth of character—perhaps this is what Jesus saw in him when He set him apart as an apostle.

Andrew After Jesus’ Ascension

This steadfastness carried Andrew through to the painful, emotional days after Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. After Jesus ascended into heaven, Andrew was among those who gathered in the upper room in Jerusalem, as recorded in Acts 1:13. It was a critical, pivotal time for the early followers of the Way, marked by prayer, unity, and anticipation of the promised Holy Spirit. Despite the fear and uncertainty that must have gripped the disciples, Andrew faithfully remained with them, holding on to the hope of what Jesus had promised.

The upper room was more than just a physical space; it was a place of intense prayer and anticipation. For Andrew, being there was a testament to his obedience and unwavering belief in Jesus’ words and his readiness to receive the Holy Spirit. His inclusion in this gathering, praying, singing, and calling out to the Lord, speaks to his deep commitment and perseverance. He joined in prayer with the other apostles, as well as with Mary, the mother of Jesus, and other followers until, suddenly, the day of Pentecost brought an unexpected and powerful manifestation of the Holy Spirit. He descended upon them in power, enabling them to speak in different languages and boldly proclaim the Gospel.

Andrew, now filled with the Holy Spirit, became a vital part of the early Church’s explosive growth.

Lessons from Andrew’s Life

Andrew’s perseverance, despite the loss and uncertainty following Jesus’ death, is a powerful lesson for us today. His presence in the upper room shows us a man marked by the character of Jesus in his heart. His role in the unity of the early Church demonstrates the importance of being part of a community of believers, sharing in prayer, support, and mission. He demonstrates that there is no independent spirit about him; he’s part of the Christian community—belonging, inclusive, encouraging, and more importantly, God’s.

Andrew’s three-year journey with Jesus, with all its challenges, exhilaration, and wonder, along with his openness to the Spirit’s leading, reminds us of the importance of being receptive to the Spirit’s guidance in our own lives and ministries, especially in 2024.

After Pentecost, tradition holds that Andrew took the Gospel to the far reaches of the known world, preaching in places as diverse as Greece, Asia Minor, and possibly even as far as the region of modern-day Russia. His ministry was marked by a passion for spreading the message of Jesus, even to the point of martyrdom; according to tradition, he was crucified on an X-shaped cross in Patras, Greece, choosing to die in a manner that he felt was not worthy of his Lord’s death on a regular cross.

A Challenge to Follow

Andrew’s life is a challenge to us and is a testament to the power of a simple, faithful response to Jesus. It is an encouragement to bring whatever we have to Christ, trust Him to work through it, and be content in serving Him, whether in the spotlight or behind the scenes.

In God’s Kingdom, every role, no matter how small, is significant. It was a simple, unassuming start that Andrew had when he asked the man from Galilee, “Where are you staying?” But what really set everything ablaze was the answer: “Come and see!”

You have that invitation—do yourself a favour. Come and see.