Appointed with Purpose
Passage: 1 Kings 19
Date: June 29, 2025
Pastor: Pastor Horton
In the movie, The Hunt for Red October, a rogue Russian submarine was led by its captain – a character played by Shawn Connery. Before disembarking on their mission, he writes a letter to his Soviet authorities informing them of his intent to defect. Mid mission the officers learn of this and are shocked by the gravity of their situation. The captain then references Spanish conquistador, Hernan Cortes, who, as legend has it, set fire to his boats upon landing and invading the Aztec empire. Cortes may have actually scuttled, or dismantled them, but the point is clear: “Look at the smoke! Retreat is not an option! We’re not going back! The only way for us is forward!”
Shawn Connery’s character could have referenced our reading for today in the calling of Elisha by Elijah. Something similar had happened. We hear about in 1 Kings how Elijah the prophet went through some highs and lows spiritually and emotionally. From witnessing God’s victory firsthand upon the Carmel ridge over the prophets of Baal, to fearfully running from the wretched royalty of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel and praying to God for death. “I am the only prophet left and have had enough, Lord.” And then you may remember the great wind, the earthquake, and the fire, but God instead speaks to his disheartened prophet through the gentle whisper of his word. “When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.” For God has preserved 7,000 true believers in the land and has appointed his successor as prophet. “Take heart,” says our God!
Speaking of that cloak, he’s going to need it in our reading. We find the cloak or mantle to be an outer garment, loosely fitting, and most likely made out of animal skin. But more importantly, this cloak was a symbol of prophetic authority and the divine call given to the man. This mantle would fall to the ground as Elijah was taken up into heaven. And both Elijah and Elisha would use this mantle to part the waters of the Jordan River.
And it’s there in our reading, “So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. Elisha was doing the plowing with twelve teams of oxen in front of him, and he himself was driving the twelfth team. Elijah crossed over to him and threw his cloak over him.” Did you notice how God works in this anointing of his prophet? There was no job resume. No list of candidates. No interview process (no words spoken that we know of). God chooses. And in this case he chooses a man who is farming, not one from the well versed Levites or the most gifted from the school of prophets. Elisha didn’t feel a special feeling in his heart or a specific drive to suddenly seek out this calling. He was busy doing something else – driving oxen through the fields. And he had enough oxen, scholars speculate, that Elisha’s family were a pretty well-to-do farm family. He had other things going on in life. And yet God is specific. His call is divine. And in this case it is sudden. What a scene out there in the fields as Elijah walks up to him seemingly out of nowhere and throws his cloak over him. You’re the next one up!
And yet in some ways this scene mirrors how God calls us. Mankind was given the gift of perfection with both one another and with God and we fumbled it away in the fall. Yet God knew you and wanted you for his own from before even before the opening days of creation. God appointed Christ Jesus as his solution to our sin and death. You have personally been brought into God’s family of believers and given the gift of heaven. This is not because we have earned or deserved it. But entirely by grace – God acting in love – seeking you out – and making you into his own.
While you may not be wearing a pastor’s stole today after being appointed, ordained, and given the uniquely special calling of public minister, it would not have been inappropriate for me to meet you at the church doors this morning and throw a cloak (or a robe) over each and every one of you as you walked in. For God has appointed you as his own. You who may be busy in life with many other things as Elisha was. You are the ones to whom he comes in Word and Sacrament. He wants you to hear his message of salvation for you in Jesus. It is you who were set apart by God in the water and gospel words of your baptism. You whom God has chosen to equip, and train, and bless with faith and knowledge of Jesus your Savior. That is a gift that matters for all of eternity! Do not take that for granted!
Because that temptation is very real for you and me. Elisha? He just had one simple request: “Then Elisha left the oxen and ran after Elijah. He said, “‘Let me kiss my father and my mother good-bye! Then I will follow you.’” “Let me say goodbye to my mom and dad.” But it got me thinking…what are we ready to kiss goodbye to for the sake of the gospel? Maybe that question is all the more real after moving my family. Not only because of all the earthly goods (a of it my junk) that I’ve accumulated over the years. But also as we fashion our house: buying and selling on facebook marketplace, giving attention to just the right kind of planets in just the right pots with just the right amounts of shade, and finding my mind obsessing on the material. Kiss that goodbye for the gospel? And then there’s the people: family dearly loved, friends closely trusted, my social status in the world and the familiar faces around me. Kiss all them goodbye? And then of course there’s the comfort issue. More than having air conditioning, boba teas, and vacations, am I (are you) willing to kiss away that personal comfort and be exposed to rejection or even persecution for Jesus? That is hard. And many times I find myself falling back into the trap of prioritizing the earthly over the eternal. Maybe you do as well. Lord forgive us for the many times we are unwilling to burn the boats in our lives as we conveniently forget that you have appointed us with purpose.
Help us be more like Elisha. Watch his example for you and me in the remainder of our text: “Then he took the team of oxen and slaughtered them. Using the equipment from the oxen as fuel, he cooked the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he got up, followed Elijah, and served him.” Did you notice the lack of questions and demand for answers? He speaks volumes with his actions stemming from a heart of faith: “The Lord is calling? My answer is automatic: ‘Wherever you want me at and whatever you need me to do may it be always only to the glory of God.’” We know from the pages of Scriptures that not everything would go well for the new prophet, Elisha. His call would not be a call into wealth or into the praise of men, but into service. Elisha would face some exceptionally trying times in war and famine. And yet God would be enough. He would give enough. He would equip and train and guide and provide enough to his servant.
In the same way we find God continuing to provide enough for you and for me in Christ Jesus. In light of God’s calling us into service, what can we then, moved by the Holy Spirit, do today to serve in that same kingdom Elijah and Elisha belonged? God doesn’t demand that we go out and torch our houses or burn our wallets, but rather be faithful stewards of what he gives us – mindful of the gospel opportunities we have to do and support. And Elisha? He makes full use of what he has at his disposal to sacrifice what God had so generously given him. He then willingly follows and willingly serves and willingly glorifies God. We find in him a heart moved by faith that is ready to commit all, even his life to the Lord, knowing that God will provide on earth for he has already provided him the promise of salvation through the coming Messiah.
That gospel promise of salvation through Jesus remains for you and for me today. And the gospel has been given to you to share. Go with God as you reenter the world – and don’t forget your Savior placing on you a mantle in the form of his robes of perfect righteousness and forgiveness! He calls you to serve today! He calls you to go rogue from the ways of the world today! You have what you need for all of eternity in Christ Jesus. Give thanks from the heart. And look for ways to respond in faith – abounding in love – eager to serve – and made ready to go through life and death and into heaven with Jesus. For he has appointed you with purpose. Amen.
