When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me.” (2 Kin 2:9).
There has been considerable debate about the soundness of Elisha’s request. The protege’s desire to surpass his mentor can be viewed as prideful ambition. Yet, although Elijah admits that Elisha’s request is daring, the mentor assures him that it was possible (2 Kin 2:10).
Indeed, our Lord Himself assures His disciples that they would do greater works than He had done during His earthly ministry: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father” (Jo 14:12).
Notice that the Mentor par excellence expects His followers not only to match His performance, but to surpass it. According to our Lord, such a desire is not pride, it’s belief!
Beloved, we shouldn’t set the bar lower for ourselves. Even with regards to your God-given mentors, first aim to at least match their pursuit of God. Let your spirituality match theirs. Then aim to surpass their impact–not pridefully but faithfully! After all, it’s a Kingdom principle that every seed produces more than itself. So, until you match and exceed your mentor, you ain’t started yet! As for me, I expect all my spiritual protégés to match my love for Christ and to surpass my spiritual fluency and impact. Nothing less!
Pastor Josh