Jesus Christ in the Old Testament in the Persons of Elijah & Elisha Old Testament people who foreshadowed Jesus Christ through the actions and events of their lives

Introduction In many ways both Elijah and Elisha’s lives and experiences paralleled the life and experiences of Jesus Christ. Elijah was a prophet who was unafraid to even confront the king and queen with their sin. God showed His power through Elijah’s ministry.

Introduction Elijah chose Elisha as his successor and the prophet for Israel. As with Elijah before, God demonstrated His power through Elisha’s ministry as well.

Elijah & Elisha--------Christ Elijah’s calling God’s people to repentance was at a time of great unfaithfulness. Jesus’ announcement of God’s Kingdom come, happened at the time God prepared. 1 Kings 18:18 "I have not made trouble for Israel," Elijah replied. "But you and your father's family have. You have abandoned the LORD's commands and have followed the Baals. Mark 1:4-5 And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 All the people, confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

Elijah & Elisha--------Christ While in the desert, ravens took care of Elijah. While in the desert, Jesus was being tempted to make bread from stones. 1 Kings 17:3-4 "Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. 4 You will drink from the brook, and I have ordered the ravens to feed you there." Matthew 4:1-3 1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil... 3 The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."

Elijah & Elisha--------Christ An angel fed Elijah and he was strengthened enough to travel for 40 days. Jesus was tempted in the wilderness for 40 days, and afterward angels fed Him. 1 Kings 19:8 So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. Matthew 4:11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

Elijah & Elisha--------Christ Elijah raised a widow’s son from the dead and gave him back to his mother. Jesus raised a widow’s son from the dead and gave him back to his mother. 1 Kings 17:17-22 Elijah prayed "O LORD my God, let this boy's life return to him!" 22 The LORD heard Elijah's cry, and the boy's life returned to him, and he lived. Luke 7:11-15 The only son of his mother, a widow… Jesus said, "Young man, I say to you, get up!" 15 The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.

Elijah & Elisha--------Christ Elijah called Elisha to be his disciple. Elisha left everything to follow Elijah. Jesus called his disciples and they left everything to follow Jesus. 1 Kings 19:19-20 So Elijah went from there and found Elisha…Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. 20 Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. Matthew 4:18-20 "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.

Elijah & Elisha--------Christ Elijah called down fire from heaven to overwhelm his enemies. Jesus refused to let his disciples call down fire from heaven on His enemies. 2 Kings 1:12 "If I am a man of God," Elijah replied, "may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men!" Then the fire of God fell from heaven and consumed him and his fifty men. Luke 9:52-56 …the people did not welcome Jesus…When the disciples saw this, they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?" 55 But Jesus rebuked them…

Elijah & Elisha--------Christ Elisha cleansed the leprous Naaman. Jesus cleansed many with leprosy. Matthew 8:2-3 A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." 3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately he was cured of his leprosy. 2 Kings 5:9-10 So Naaman went [to] Elisha's house. 10 Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, "Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed."

Elijah & Elisha--------Christ Elisha raised a prominent woman’s son from the dead. Jesus raised a prominent man’s daughter from the dead. 2 Kings 4:32-37 When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy lying dead on his couch. 33 He went in … and prayed to the LORD... When she came, Elisha said, "Take your son.". Luke 8:41-56 41 A man named Jairus, a ruler …pleading with Jesus to come to his house… [to raise his dead] daughter… Jesus ... took her by the hand and said, "My child, get up!" 55 Her spirit returned, and she stood up...

Elijah & Elisha--------Christ Elisha multiplied oil and food on two separate occasions. Jesus multiplied food on two separate occasions. Matthew 14:19-21 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, Jesus gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied.. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand... 2 Kings 4:3-7 3 Elisha said, "Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don't ask for just a few. 4 Then go [and] pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled… 6 When all the jars were full… then the oil stopped flowing. 2 Kings 4:42-44 [With] twenty loaves of bread…"Give it to the people to eat," Elisha said. 43 "How can I set this before a hundred men?" Elisha answered, "Give it to the people to eat. For this is what the LORD says: 'They will eat and have some left over.'" 44 Then he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the LORD.

Elijah & Elisha--------Christ 2 Kings 4:42-44 [With] twenty loaves of bread…"Give it to the people to eat," Elisha said. 43 "How can I set this before a hundred men?" Elisha answered, "Give it to the people to eat. For this is what the LORD says: 'They will eat and have some left over.'" 44 Then he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the LORD. Matthew 15:36-38 He took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. 37 They all ate and were satisfied... 38 The number of those who ate was four thousand...

Elijah & Elisha--------Christ A man came back to life when thrown in Elisha’s tomb and touched his bones. A women was healed by touching Jesus’ garments. 2 Kings 13:20-21 Elisha died and was buried… some Israelites were burying a man… [and] they threw the man's body into Elisha's tomb. When the body touched Elisha's bones, the man came to life… Matthew 9:20-21 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21 She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed."