“The Expected Unexpected” 2 Kings 5: 1-12

 How many of you showed up to worship today expecting to see Pastor Julia? How many of you are wondering who in the world this woman is who is preaching today?

My name is Pastor Michelle and this is my first Sunday here as your newly appointment pastor. In the United Methodist Church, we do this odd, and yet beautiful thing, called itnerancy. Tracing back to our early roots, when pastors went from place to place, often as a circuit rider. In those earlier days, pastors would be in a place for maybe three months.

But this tradition of one pastor being followed by another - it also traces back to scripture. Prophets were people called by God to come alongside kings and rulers to help keep their hearts and actions in check. Elijah was appointed to be the prophet to a very difficult set of rulers - King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. They were best known for their atrocious behavior, that grew in boldness, day by day. 

It got to the point where Elijah ran away when Queen Jezebel called for his life. Yet, God was with him, even in the midst of his darkest moment, reminding him of his call and sending him back, but not alone. He had Elisha come alongside him.

But now the hour has come for Elijah to depart from this world. 

Which means that there needs to be a transfer of spiritual leadership. 

But Elisha doesn’t even realize that such a responsibility is to be transferred to him. It’s not for Elijah to say, but God alone. Because it isn’t about the prophets, its about the God who appoints and sends them. God who is the same in all times and all times and all places. God who is from everlasting to everlasting. God who is with us, even when the future seems unclear. 

Elijah kept trying to send Elisha back. But he went with him. Way past the usual landmarks. Past the Jordan. To an unnamed place. 

Elisha knew what was going to happen. Or at least to a certain extent. He knew that after today that Elijah would no longer be with him. In his graciousness, Elijah asked his apprentice what he could do for him. In his wisdom Elisha asked for a double portion of his’s spirit. 

This particular text in some ways is so difficult to understand. Where is Elijah being sent? What does the dipping of the mantle mean. But in other ways it is so easy to understand - that in some moments, there are no words. In some moments, like the one that happens after Elijah is taken up in chariots of fire, all that is left is the deep grief, grief that made Elisha tear his garment in two.

We try to make the passing of the mantle pretty. At Annual Conference there is a moment where those who are going to be ordained that year receive the mantel of service from those who are retiring. Sometimes it is in the physical passing of a stole. Other times it is symbolic - like washing the feet of the ordained. 

But when we get into this text, really get into it, we realize that the passing of the mantle is never that easy. Friends, today is the day of the passing of the mantle, as I become your newly appointed pastor. But I know that title takes time to earn. And that your grief is real. None of you expected Pastor Julia to announce just a few short weeks ago that she was being moved. And you will grieve her, for her four years of faithful and beautiful service amongst you. 

I’m grieving, too. Even though I was at my appointment for seven years, I did not anticipate this call either. Leaving is always hard. Change is always hard. Because we have to say goodbye to people we love.

But even in the midst of Elisha’s grief, he is not deterred from what came next. From his call. 

The reason, brothers and sisters, that we have kept this odd and difficult practice of itinerancy, of passing on the mantle from one pastor to the next, is not for the sake of history or tradition. No, we do so as a reminder that pastors are sent. Sent to a place where hopefully their gifts and graces match the mission, ministry, and gifts of the local church. 

Even though Elisha got up, mantle and all, and went back to be the prophet that was needed, he could never be Elijah. He had to be who he was called to be. Even after being mentored by a giant of the faith, who nurtured his calling, he had to live into the fullness of who God called him to be for such a time as this.

I am not Pastor Julia - her gifts and graces are different then mine. I hold her dear in my heart as we went through the ordination process together and were the only two people ordained in our class year. In fact, when it came time for the passing of the mantles, two retirees blessed us, so that each of us could participate. But we are different people, both called by God and both part of the long line of pastors you have had to serve you in all seasons of your call to be the church in this place.

Knowing that does not minimize our grief. And we honor Pastor Julia today and all that she has done for you. For her faithfulness and her obedience to God. But even in our grief, we are dependent upon God.

Maybe most acutely in our grief, we are dependent upon God.

Because this passing of the mantle from Elijah to Elisha, it is a tender and vulnerable moment. It reminded hi that he was dependent upon God’s call, word, and mercy in his life. And its just as vulnerable and tender for us as we gather together this day. 

So let us stand in this vulnerable moment and commit ourselves to one another. Commit ourselves to the legacy of this congregation. Commit ourselves in hope and trust to what God is doing amongst us. Even when change is hard. Even when there are all of the unknowns stretching before us. 

Let us proclaim that as this is a day of new beginnings, it does not mean that we leave behind all that we know and love. Let us covenant to partner together for whatever this next season of ministry together may hold as we proclaim the world, live into the call to be in mission and ministry, and serve this community in the name of Christ. 

Amen and amen.