Cloaks….

 Cloaks…

It seems like there have been several major Christian organizations, churches that have changed hands these last few years…some successful and others not so much….the founders have aged out, retired and have wanted to hand over the mantle to the next generation…this is hard in some instances….different vision, new Technology, different lifestyles…a multitude of changes…even though they serve the same God…

It happens in families as one generation passes the baton to the next…or government, businesses, etc…change…updating…

I thought of several whose leaders “threw” their cloaks on their successors as Elijah did to Elisha…we give the leadership to another…we take off our “comfort, protection “ and hand it over…we desire a garment  of praise over  despair…we are given a robe of righteousness/salvation to meet the Lord….

Thank YOU….

 So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him.

1Kgs.19.19

 As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. 

Elisha saw this and cried out, “My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his garment and tore it in two. 

Elisha then picked up Elijah’s cloak that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan.

2Kgs.2.11-13

 He put on righteousness as his breastplate,and the helmet of salvation on his head;he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak.

Isa.59.17

 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,because the Lord has anointed me-to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God,to comfort all who mourn,     and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,the oil of joy instead of mourning,and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.

They will be called oaks of righteousness,a planting of the Lordfor the display of his splendor.

Isa.61.1-3

 I delight greatly in the Lord;my soul rejoices in my God.For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness,as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Isa.61.10

 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.

Matt.21.7-8

….In biblical literature, the cloak, also referred to as a mantle or outer garment, holds significant symbolic meaning. It is often associated with authority, identity, and transformation. The cloak serves as a powerful metaphor for various spiritual truths and divine actions throughout the Scriptures…..throughout the Bible, the cloak serves as a multifaceted symbol, representing authority, protection, identity, humility, and divine justice. Its presence in various narratives underscores the profound spiritual truths conveyed through this simple yet powerful garment.

 https://biblehub.com/topical/s/symbolism_of_the_cloak.htm

 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 

Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”

So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 

Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” 

Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

Mark.10.48,Mark.10.49,Mark.10.50,Mark.10.52

 Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him.

Acts.12.8.  

His robe……(this is old….)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaQo6k412ug