The Black And White Of Following Christ

One could get into quite a discussion with biblical scholars and teachers over who was the greatest prophet in Israel. The greatest of the writing prophets, of course, was Isaiah, but he lived long after the period written about in the first reading today. Elijah pops into one’s head at first, but I contend that the prophet who did the most was Elisha, the successor to Elijah. He wasn’t part of a prophetic school. Indeed, here we read that he was a pretty well-heeled farmer, who got his hands dirty. Lots of prophets were like that–Amos was a dresser of sycamore-figs. But when Elijah cast his mantle over Elisha’s head, it was clear that the Spirit of God was involved, and calling. Elisha responded, but first took care of his other laborers and his mom and dad. Then we hear no more about them, just about their son’s long and fruitful ministry.

Our psalmist gives us a love song like that which Elisha might have felt. He knew that he would learn from his mentor, Elijah. He could say to the elder prophet something like quiero ser como tu in Hebrew. But he would not have faced the many challenges of his ministry without his first love, his real commitment, being to the Lord who counseled and consoled him, to whom he would pray even at midnight. When we commit ourselves, it must be to the person who is high above us, who can satisfy the deepest desires of our empty souls, and who promises us eternal life and resurrection if we dedicate ourselves to obedience in faith.

Many in the culture today look down upon us who have dedicated ourselves to Christ and His Church, us who know that some actions are just always wrong. They tell us that life is nuanced, that there are shades of gray in the business of making moral choices. Jesus, though, was pretty stark. If I’m not with Him, then I’m against Him. I must tell the truth to anyone who asks about my faith, even if my life rides on that declaration. That’s a big part of our obedience in faith. We don’t have to swear an oath to be believed. If we never lie–if we have the reputation of absolute integrity and truthfulness–then nobody will ever require us to swear to the truth of our statements, except in court. Jesus Christ was not one to hedge on His declarations. That’s one of the reasons we know He was truly divine, because even though that statement cost Him His life, He stood by it. Let’s all pray to have that spirit for our entire life.