November 2

2 Kings 4.8-10

⁸ One day Elisha went to Shunem.  And a well-to-do woman was there, who urged him to stay for a meal.  So whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat.  ⁹ She said to her husband, “I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God.  ¹⁰ Let’s make a small room on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him.  Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us.”

It would be easy, and quite manipulative, to make this about how people are supposed to treat the religious leaders in their community.  It would also be very self-serving.  And it is not really the point of what is going on here.  The larger context shows that it has been about a widow in the prior verses being cared for.  Now Elisha is being cared for.  And soon the son of this woman will be restored to life.  She and her family will be cared for.  It is about the care of God for his people, using his people to do so.

The question for us all is: how are we making room for the ones in need?  This woman, and her husband, literally made a room for Elisha.  How do we make space in life for others so that we can be used by God to offer his care and his grace?  It could be that we are called to make a space for someone in our home.  Many of us have done that over the years.  It could be making space in life in other ways.  Time to be with and offer care where the other is.  Some do this well with visits in hospital or nursing homes.  There are many ways and places where it takes place.

It may be nice to see ourselves in the place of Elisha.  Being the one receiving.  It does happen.  It becomes necessary for most.  And it certainly has happened.  But let’s see ourselves in the place of this couple.  Seeing a need of another and finding a way to take part in bringing the presence of God.  Not about the size of the task or how visible it is.  As we have already noted that our acts of righteousness are simply done for God in front of God. 

Let’s have our eyes open for how God is giving us an opportunity to be his presence and grace in the life of the people around us in the coming days.

Song – Your Grace Is Enough

Prayer

Creator God, by your prophesy you called your people to seek the welfare of the cities in which they lived.  We commend our community to your care, that it might be kept from social strife and decay.  Give us strength of purpose and concern or others, that we may create a community of justice and peace where your will may be done, through Christ our Saviour, Amen.