Elisha’s Double Portion

Elijah Taken Up to Heaven by Gustave Dore

And Elisha said, “Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me.” 2 Kings 2:9

Jesus told His disciples they would do greater works than He after He ascended to the Father (John 14:12). The greatest work Christ did was proclaim the kingdom through His death upon the cross. As far as our doing greater work, He was speaking of this episode in the passing of the mantle of power from Elijah to Elisha.

Gustave Dore's John the Baptist John the Baptist came in the spirit and power of Elijah (Luke 1:17). Jesus Himself said that John was Elijah, spiritually speaking (Matt 17:11-13). Moreover, Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he” (Matt 11:11).

Interesting, isn’t it? John the Baptist performed no miracles. His ministry was only six months long after thirty years of preparation as a Nazarite. He preached the kingdom to come and called people to repentance. Most importantly, He pointed to Jesus, ever and always, saying, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). Even in his doubt, while John was imprisoned, he still sent his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” (Matt 11:2-3). And John’s disciples heard from the Master’s own mouth that He was indeed the Messiah (Matt 11:4-5).

We, who have been saved by God’s grace, have a double portion of John the Baptist’s spirit, just as Elisha received a double portion in the departure of Elijah. Why? Because greater than the catching up of Elijah in the whirlwind is the incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. The greatest miracle in the world is the Spirit of God working in and through redeemed sinners saved by God’s grace to proclaim Christ’s everlasting gospel in order to raise sinners, dead in trespasses and sins, to newness of life in Christ Jesus.

Elisha got a double dose
Of gospel power when
Elijah did decrease and go
By God’s wind into heav’n.

“Speech Seasoned with Salt” was written by Pastor Jon Cardwell for the congregation of Calvary Baptist Church in Ninilchik, Alaska. He writes devotional thoughts like the one above and sends them via email daily. You can receive these devotionals at no charge whatsoever by CLICKING HERE

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture texts marked (KJV) are from The King James Version of the Holy Bible (1769). The King James Version of the Bible is in the public domain.

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