Daily Lectionary | 2 Kings 2 & Luke 24:24-53

2 Kings 2

Summary

During a leap year, the Daily Office Lectionary takes us out of our sequential reading on February 29.

In 2 Kings 2, the great prophet Elijah is preparing for his departure and Elisha’s succession to his ministry. The chapter’s geography is significant as it retraces important locations in Israel’s history. They first come to Bethel, the place where Jacob saw angels ascending and descending on a ladder to heaven. Elijah himself will shortly ascend into heaven. They then come to Jericho, the first city captured in the conquest in the book of Joshua. If Elijah is a Moses figure, then Elisha, his successor, will be a Joshua who will conquer the land. 

They then come to the Jordan, the river Israel crossed as they entered the promised land. Elijah takes his cloak, a sign of his prophetic leadership and strikes the water which then parts, a clear echo of Moses and the Red Sea. On the other side, Elisha asks for a “double portion” of Elijah’s spirit. Elijah is whisked away into heaven. Elisha takes up the mantle of leadership, and like his master, strikes the water and it was parted. Elisha crosses over with a double-portion of the spirit of Elijah.

Elisha heals the bitter water, like Moses did at Marah (Ex. 15:22-27). Forty - two “boys” mock Elisha, who then calls down two she-bears to maul the mocking lads. This strange episode raises many questions. It’s likely these were not small boys (na’ar), as the term for boys can equally be used for servant or official, as with Ziba who was a na’ar of Saul’s house. So what can we make of this strange scene?

Bethel was the center of the golden calf cult (1 Kings 12). Elisha is a new Joshua who crosses water to conquer the land driving out enemies. A more plausible explanation than Elisha being upset at being mocked for being bald-headed and subsequently calling down bears to kill his mockers is that he’s making a new conquest of the land. These 42 lads are possibly officials or even priests of the golden calf cult resident in Bethel. God will not be mocked by idolaters. Elisha, the New Moses, has healed the water now he will cleanse the land.

Reflection

John the Baptist is identified as an Elijah figure in the gospels. How is Jesus like Elisha?

Luke 24:24-53

Summary

After Jesus’ resurrection, Jesus reveals himself to two disciples on the road to Emmaus. But he does so in stages. First, he opens the Scriptures, “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” 

Then Jesus shares a meal with these followers. Luke recounts, “When he was at table with them, he took the bread, blessed it and broke it and gave it to them.” Luke’s readers will hear this as clear echo of the institution of the Lord’s supper.

Having been prepared by Jesus’ teaching of Scripture, now at table with Jesus, “their eyes were opened, and they recognized him.” 

They relate to the others “how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.” 

Jesus appears again to the disciples, engages their doubts by inviting them to touch him. Jesus is not some ghost, but a resurrected body--a body that can be touched, a body that can eat.

Once again, Jesus shows who he is the fulfillment of the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms. 

Luke then recounts Jesus’ ascension and the return of his followers to Jerusalem, who were praising God in the temple. Luke’s gospel begins with the temple and ends with the temple.

Reflection

How do we, like these disciples in Luke 24, recognize and come to know the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ?