2 Kings 1-5

2 Kings 2 is a remarkable passage of Scripture in many ways. For starters, who could forget the image of Elijah being taken up to heaven on a chariot of fire (2 Ki 2:11)? And as if this didn't make enough of an impression, Elijah has the distinction of being one of only two people in the entire Bible to go to heaven without dying first (Enoch is the other; cf. Genesis 5:24, Hebrews 11:5).

But the most remarkable thing of all about Elijah's "death scene" is that it's not ultimately about Elijah at all. It's about Elisha and the way he responds to his mentor's end. He is repeatedly told that Elijah will be leaving him soon, and each time he replies "Yes, I know" (2 Ki 2: 3,5). Once it is finished, Elisha is wracked with grief and he "Took hold of his own clothes and tore them apart" (2 Ki 2:12).

Contrast this response to that of the disciples in the days and hours leading up to and immediately following Jesus' crucifixion. They do not understand why they cannot follow Jesus where he is going; this is because they do not understand in any measure what is about to happen (John 13: 33, 36-37). Later, while Jesus appears before the high priest Peter is outside trying to keep warm and with equal fervor denying he ever followed Jesus (John 18: 17, 25, 27).

Elisha understood, accepted, and embraced God's plan. Even though he didn't like it, he understood that God's way of ordering events was far superior to anything he could have devised on his own. Would that we all had the faith of Elisha!