Scripture Study for

In the first recorded instance of “passing the mantle,” the prophet  Elijah signals to Elisha that he is to be his successor. In a dramatic gesture typical of biblical prophets, Elijah walks past the young man,  throws his mantle on him, and continues on, leaving the bewildered  Elisha to run after him. The invitation is made, but the one invited must accept wholeheartedly and immediately. Elisha does accept,  only making the reasonable request to say good-bye to his family.  But the call of a prophet means giving up absolutely everything to serve God, and the first test is the willingness to leave family behind without a word, and even to sever oneself from one’s past life.  Elisha signals his total commitment to his new role as attendant and successor of Elijah by destroying the instruments of his former work. 

Thus far in his Letter to the Galatians, Paul has argued strenuously that Jews who have become Christians are no longer subject to the Law, at least not in the same way as before. Gentiles too ought not to place themselves under the “discipline” of the Law; all should accept the freedom they have been given through faith in Christ.  Some Galatians, however, seem to have taken this to mean that their “freedom” means liberty to do whatever they want. This is no freedom, Paul says, but slavery of a different kind, slavery to the flesh. Those who live by the Spirit serve Christ, not that part of them that resists God’s will. Christian freedom is freedom to live for  Christ and in service of one’s neighbor. Only to the extent that their life in the Spirit releases them from bondage to their own passions and selfishness can Christians call themselves truly free.

As Jesus begins his final journey to Jerusalem, where he knows he will be killed (9:22), he encounters three individuals who would follow him—which means following him to Jerusalem and all that stands for. Each is warned of the cost. They will endure insecurity and they will have to give up even their own family duties for a greater obligation. Everyone must consider carefully the cost of following Jesus, because although he leads them to the kingdom of  God, the way to the kingdom necessarily goes through Jerusalem.  Those who look ahead to the kingdom will be tempted to look back at what they left once they arrive at Jerusalem, but this will deter them from their course, just as looking back while plowing risks ruining the field with crooked furrows.