I remember reading some very interesting facts recently; Napolean’s toothbrush sold for $21,000; Adolf Hitler’s car sold for $150,000; Jackie Kennedy’s fake pearls sold for $211,500; John Kennedy had a wooden set of golf clubs that sold for $772,500. None of these things were greatly valuable in and of themselves, but the value of these items was made great because they had belonged to very famous people.

With that thought in mind, I cannot help but be reminded of two visionaries in scripture: Elijah and Elisha. Elijah was a great leader, and Elisha was his observant understudy. The two met while Elisha was hard at work plowing his father’s field when suddenly a mantle was dropped over him. That mantle became symbolic of his prophetic calling and of God’s presence that would be with him. Elijah took the mantle back, but Elisha never took his gaze off of it. Would there ever be a day in which it would "officially" be his? When the time came, would he have the courage to pick it up?

In time, his moment came and the mantle became not only symbolic of his prophetic calling and of God’s presence, but it became an emblem of God’s trust. Standing by the river Jordan that day were at least fifty other prophets of God. What was it about Elisha that God found more trustworthy than the others to bear the mantle?

First of all, God saw his determination. Three times, Elijah tried to discourage Elisha from accompanying him. But he persevered. How badly do we want the mantle of God? God may very well send obstacles in our path to test our worthiness to bear it, simply because when God blesses a person with his mantle, it is intended to be carried for the long haul. God’s mantles are not for temporary use.

Secondly, God saw his devotion. It is interesting to note that the other fifty prophets chose to "view afar off," but Elisha stayed right by the side of his master. Then it would seem that the secret to being a mantle-bearer is staying close. I wonder, as the mantle fell to the ground that day, how many prophets would have loved to touch, smell, or possess it? But now Jordan stood between them and the blessing they wanted. Standing "afar off" always has a price. There was no second mantle to be dropped. We must take it when the time comes or lose the power of its possession.

Thirdly, God saw his desire. When Elijah asked Elisha to tell him what he wanted Elijah to do for him before he departed, Elisha could have asked for many things; money, possessions, or perhaps other things. But Elisha simply wanted to bear the mantle for God. Had most of us picked up the mantle, we might have chosen a different course of action. Some might would have called a press conference, put it in a shrine, or perhaps, sold tickets for people to come and see it. The mantle of God is never meant to be worshipped – it is to be worn. A life that God honors with the mantle is a life that God honors by displaying it. His mantles never fade or get threadbare. They are "made" to be worn and then passed on.

So, do you really want to be a mantle-bearer? If so, there may very well be some obstacles in your way. What is your "Jordan" standing in the way? Not everyone who desires God’s mantle is willing to make the sacrifice to get it. God’s mantle cannot be bought. It cannot be bartered for. It is God’s token of trust. Solomon had the mantle of wisdom, but he cast it off in the end. Cain had the mantle of the firstborn son, but he cast it aside in anger. Esau had the mantle of God’s blessings as the elder son in the family, however, under pressure he was willing to cast it aside for a bowl of pottage. Judas had the mantle of apostleship, but was willing to cast it aside for thirty pieces of silver.

Somewhere in each of our lives there is a place and a time that God has a mantle waiting for us. For most of us, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The question can be asked which side of Jordan will we be standing on when that time comes? Will we have the courage to pick up the mantle and wear it?

Elisha desired the mantle, and God entrusted it to him as a legacy. Now, others desired what he had. What do we have that others would desire? Does the present day apostolic church possess the power of God to such a degree that others would desire to have it? May we as God’s people wear our mantle of blessing with the full understanding that it is God who has given us this blessing. However, it is important that we understand that before we can pass on the mantle to others, we must obtain the mantle for ourselves.

May we walk in apostolic power and victory.