Wednesday 17th July 2019 Prayer Devotion
Scripture Reading:- Luke 1:26-55
Topic:- 10 Similarities Between Jesus And Prophet Elisha
Text:- 2 Kings 2:11
In Jesus’ times, the Jewish people expected the great Prophet Elijah to come again. And, in Matthew’s gospel, Jesus suggests that this has happened in John the Baptist. He says to His Disciples, “If you are willing to accept it, John is Elijah who is to come.”
Accepting this, people began to ask whether Jesus who seemed to continue the ministry that John the Baptist had started was Elisha, the even greater Prophet who succeeded Elijah.
It’s an interesting question. And, when we read the Old Testament stories about Elisha, we see many similarities between Jesus and Elisha.
Here Are Ten Of Them:
1. Their names have similar meanings.
a. Elisha means, “God is salvation.” See 1 Kings 19:16-19.
b. Jesus means, “Yahweh will save.” See Luke 1:30-33.
2. Their ministries both start at the River Jordan.
a. Elisha takes up the mantle of Elijah at the River Jordan and starts his ministry. See 2 Kings 2:13.
b. Jesus is baptised by John at the River Jordan and starts his ministry. See Matthew 3:13-17.
c. Elisha sees the heavens open and Elijah being taken up in a whirlwind and then receives a ‘double portion’ of the Holy Spirit. See 2 Kings 2:11.
d. At Jesus’ baptism, John sees the heavens open and the Holy Spirit descends on Jesus like a dove. See John 1:35-36.
3. They both raise a woman’s adult son from the dead.
a. Elisha raises the son of the ‘Shunaammite woman’ from the dead. See 2 Kings 4:32-37.
b. Jesus raises the son of the ‘widow of Nain’ from the dead. See Luke 7:11-17.
4. They both feed large numbers with a small quantity of food.
a. Elisha feeds 100 men with a few barley loaves and there is food left over. See 2 Kings 4:42-44.
b. Jesus, on two occasions, feeds 5000 and then 4000 with a few loaves and fishes and there is food left over. See Mark 8:16-21.
5. They both turn a small quantity of liquid into an abundance.
a. Elisha turns a small amount of oil into enough oil to fill every vessel in the community. See 2 Kings 4:1-7.
b. Jesus turns water into huge quantities of wine. See John 2:1-11.
6. They both heal lepers.
a. Elisha heals Naaman, the Syrian commander, of leprosy. See 2 Kings 5:1-16.
b. Jesus heals many lepers. See Luke 17:11-19.
7. They both make things that should sink, float.
a. Elisha makes an iron axe head float. See 2 Kings 6:1-7.
b. Jesus walks on water and enables his disciple Peter to walk on water. See Matthew 14:22-33.
8. They are both betrayed for love of money.
a. Elisha is betrayed by his servant Gehazi because Gehazi sees an opportunity to make money from betrayal. See 2 Kings 5:20-27.
b. Jesus is betrayed by his disciple Judas because Judas sees an opportunity to make money from betrayal. See Luke 22:1-6.
9. They both give sight to the blind.
a. Elisha first blinds his enemies and then restores their sight. See 2 Kings 6:14-20.
b. Jesus often restores sight to the blind. See John 9:1-9.
10. Their deaths bring new life.
a. Elisha’s tomb was a place of resurrection. Raiders interrupted a burial and the body was thrown hastily into Elisha’s tomb. On touching Elisha’s bones, the dead person came back to life. See 2 Kings 13:20-21.
b. Jesus’ tomb was a place of resurrection. He himself was raised to life and brought the promise of new life to all. See 1 Corinthians 15:3-8.
It’s fascinating to see all these parallels and how the ministry of Elijah points forward to the time when the will of God would be revealed uniquely and fully through the person of Jesus Christ.
The ministries of Elisha and Jesus share similarities not that surprisingly, as they both lived their lives in relationship with God.
But Jesus, as God’s Son, lives fully in relationship with God in a way that no other has or can. This is why, as Christians, we believe that God is completely revealed in Jesus.
Prayer Points:-
1. Oh Lord God, help me to resemble You and be like You henceforth by fire, in the name of Jesus Christ.
2. Oh Lord God, help me to do the greater works You promised me that i can do, by Your grace and fire henceforth, in the name of Jesus Christ.
3. Oh Lord God, let Your holiness rub upon me henceforth by fire, in the name of Jesus Christ.
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