While reading through the record of Israel’s assorted kings one happens upon a reference to one of Israel’s admired prophets. 2 Kings 13:20-21 offers this concise accounting of a very unusual event:
So Elisha died, and they buried him. Now bands of Moabites used to invade the land in the spring of the year. And as a man was being buried, behold, a marauding band was seen and the man was thrown into the grave of Elisha, and as soon as the man touched the bones of Elisha he revived and stood and his feet.
Evidently someone was having a funeral. A man had died. The family and friends of this man were preparing to place him in the tomb in which lay the body of the great prophet Elisha. About that same time a group of villains came upon the scene, and in the ensuing chaos the dead man got hurriedly tossed into the tomb. But he didn’t stay dead long. Upon touching the bones of Elisha, he came back to life and stood on his feet. What a shock that must have been to everyone!
Consider this question: what kind of influence will you have beyond the grave? It is unlikely that any of us will be used of God to literally raise a dead man to life. But we could still be useful for the reviving of weary souls. Could the life you live today bring refreshment to the lives of those who will remain long after you enter Heaven? And why wait to see the results from Heaven’s vantage point. Could the life you live bring refreshment to people today?
Take a moment right now and think about the folk around you. Consider the woman at the cash register. Think about the man who waits your table at the restaurant. How about your next-door neighbor—you know, the one with the for sale sign in the yard who you never met. If these dear people happened across your path today, would they be revived in spirit, refreshed in their souls, captivated by the Savior and forced to deal with the abundant life?
Or would they simply—Heaven forbid—brush up against a dead man’s bones, with nothing to show for it?
Would you join me this day in asking our God to let our lives—yours and mine—be so reflective of Christ that all who interact with us would be refreshed with the authentic, life-changing love of God?
How about we ask Him right now.