We don’t hear this word mantle much anymore, except when it refers to a fireplace mantle. Most of the time those are used to display trophies, pictures, and such. As Christians we are to live in such a way as to display the love of God. The dictionary describes a mantle as a loose sleeveless garment worn over other clothes; something that covers, enfolds, or envelopes. The Bible refers to a mantle as an outer garment; and usually it referred to a station in life. Blind people in Bible times wore a certain type of mantle or robe that gave them the right to beg. Prophets wore a robe or mantle that showed their position as a man of God. We see this in many churches today when a pastor wears a robe when preaching. As Christians we are clothed with the robe of righteousness that Jesus gives to us when we accept Him as Savior. (Isaiah 61:10) It refers to the spiritual position we have in God through His Son. It’s called the righteousness of God and that position in Christ gives us the responsibility to share the Gospel everywhere we are. We may not be called to be a preacher in a pulpit but we called to share the love of God in our everyday lives and yes, even in our work place, in our classrooms, and neighborhoods.

We find in the Old Testament one example in First Kings 19:19 when Elijah threw his mantle on Elisha as a sign that Elisha was to follow his footsteps as a prophet. Then in Second Kings 2:8 Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up and struck the water; and it was divided and he and Elisha walked across on dry ground. So, a Biblical mantle is also a sign of authority and power. Verse nine shows Elisha asking Elijah for a double portion of his spirit to be upon him. Verse eleven tells us that after Elijah is taken away in a whirlwind to heaven, his mantle drops to ground. Elisha picks it up and went back to the same body of water, the Jordan River, and struck the water; it parted and he crossed back across. In verse 15 we read that the sons of the prophets from Jericho saw him and recognized that the spirit of Elijah now rested on Elisha.

So, what we’ve learned from this is that whatever spirit rests on us can be seen and is passed on to others. They see it in how we live and we pass it on by teaching and training others and it works both negatively and positively; for evil or for good; in the things of the world and in the things of God.

In the Old Testament, before Jesus came and went to the Cross, God’s Spirit rested upon his prophets and kings not in them. We live in the New Testament, after Jesus went to the Cross and now the Spirit of God lives inside His people.  Hallelujah! The robe of righteousness that Christians wear comes from within because the Spirit of God through Jesus lives in us. Yet, it is seen outwardly by how we live – by our behavior, our words, our attitudes, and of course, the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, as mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23.

Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He, himself passed on his mantle of authority to his Disciples, and to all His believers. His instructions are for us also. We are to go and preach the gospel and make disciples of all the nations, healing the sick, cast out devils, and speak with new tongues. (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-19) This means you and I as Christians have a mantle, a spiritual authority, a faith, and knowledge of God to pass on to the next generation. We are not to neglect our responsibility to teach and train those coming after us.  Whether it is the young children in our homes, in classrooms, our neighborhoods, or co-workers in the market place; we are to share with others our testimony of the goodness of God; the love of God; and the Salvation available in Jesus.

We are to live in obedience to God’s Word so His blessings are abundantly evident in our lives that others see and are drawn with a desire to know God. So, pick up your mantle of the love of God, the authority in Jesus’ Name, being faithful to live your life holy and pleasing to God; and leave a legacy for others to follow in their walk with God.

We are to live in such a way that we always bring glory to God.