Mantle: an important role or responsibility that passes from one person to another. Means: role, burden, onus, duty, responsibility. The mantle of leadership.
My yoke is easy…and my burden is light. Matthew 11:30
The mantle of Jesus is not heavy…it is light…and all who put it on are covered with His grace, love, peace, joy, strength, wisdom and so much more. The Holy Spirit weaves His presence into our lives and brings salvation.
A robe of righteousness, (mantle), that is white and pure, without blemish or stain no wrinkles. To obtain this robe you have to put it on. It’s not magic. It can’t be bought or sold. It is given freely, paid for by the blood of Jesus. But there is a price. It will cost you giving up your life, to have life in the only begotten son of God. The price we give, is nothing compared to the life we receive. We receive eternal life. All it takes is faith in God!
Elijah was a type of Christ. He had told Elisha, (Prophets of God) if you see me when I am taken, you will receive a double portion…Elijah’s cloak (mantle) fell to the ground and Elisha picked it up and struck the water with it and it divided and he crossed over. (The veil was torn, it divided when Jesus was crucified on the cross. No longer separating God and man.)
We have heard the gospel story about Jesus. We’ve seen His life and understand the scriptures more than ever before, especially, because of all the information that is available to us, in books and on the internet. As seekers of the Lord Jesus Christ are we watching for Him…are we wanting a double portion of Him…His mantle was left for us when he died on Mt. Calvary. Will we pick it up and put it on and walk in His footsteps…will we part the water with His cloak, by the power of the Holy Spirit, and cross over? Are we willing to give our lives to follow Him?
These are questions we all must ask ourselves…for me there is no pause…I want the double portion…I want all of Him…so that He is lifted up not me…so that others will see and know Him…Only the Holy Spirit can draw us to Him…be willing to be drawn.
As Jesus was descending into heaven He said, as you see me go, I will come again…
Be watchful…be diligent…put on the robe of righteousness and follow Him…
There is a yoke He’s told us about and it is not heavy…the burden of following Him is light…it is no burden…
There will be rivers and oceans to cross, mountains and valleys and plains to go through, cities and suburbs where lives are shattered and hopeless, there will be high places and low places but do not grow weary…there will be hardships and persecutions to endure…there will be disappointments and difficult things to bear…but believe what Jesus said…Be happy for I have overcome the world and because of that you will overcome. Take up your cross and follow me. In my father’s house there are many dwelling places, if it were not true I would tell you. Listen I’m going to make a place for you so that where I am you can come. Don’t be discouraged and do not be afraid. I am sending you another comforter and He will be in you and live in you. Wait in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit comes. He will guide you and lead you and teach you the truth. Then Jesus lifted up his hands and blessed them. (para)
You’ve seen Him through the pages of His word. You watched His birth, His life, His death and His ascension. You’ve felt His touch when you were in deep despair. You’ve heard Him whisper; “Come to me,” as you cried yourself to sleep at night. Sickness claiming your strength and your mind, you heard His words, “By my stripes you are healed.” That still small voice is the voice of the Holy Spirit. He beckons you even now to come.
Will you receive His mantle? Will you seek Him with all of your heart? If so, you will find Him. More than anything else, Jesus is seeking you. Don’t run away from Him, Run to Him!!
See, His mantle is just there…so pick it up and walk with Him in a brand new direction. He wants to show you magnificent things…He wants to give you peace in the midst of turmoil…He wants you to know love, His love, even in this life. Oh taste and see that the Lord is good…blessed is the man who trusts in Him. Psalm 34:8
~Marla Shaw O’Neill November 13, 2018
2 Kings 2:13-14 New International Version (NIV) Elisha then picked up Elijah’s cloak that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. He took the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and struck the water with it. “Where now is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” he asked. When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over. (Read 2 Kings 2 there is so much in this passage)
John 16:33 King James Version (KJV) These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
John 14:2-3 Living Bible (TLB) There are many homes up there where my Father lives, and I am going to prepare them for your coming. When everything is ready, then I will come and get you, so that you can always be with me where I am. If this weren’t so, I would tell you plainly.
Matthew 16:24-26 English Standard Version (ESV) Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus. Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?
Luke 24:48-50 Amplified Bible (AMP) You are witnesses of these things. 49 Listen carefully: I am sending the Promise of My Father [the Holy Spirit] upon you; but you are to remain in the city [of Jerusalem] until you are clothed (fully equipped) with power from on high.” Then He led them out as far as Bethany, and lifted up His hands and blessed them.
Matthew 11:28-30 English Standard Version (ESV) Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Psalm 34:8 King James Version (KJV) O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man who trusteth in him.
