Many in the earliest Christian communities viewed Jesus as the coming of Elijah, for this prophet was supposed to come at the end of time to prepare the people for the visitation of God. The life of Jesus was similar to Elijah in many respects, but very different in others. When Elijah calls Elisha to be his disciple, he allows him to take his time and say goodbye to his family. He is not insistent or demanding. The call of Luke's Jesus, on the other hand, is urgent and demanding. Come now, no delay! Leave everything behind and give all that you have. Jesus does not want half-hearted or lukewarm followers. Elijah and Elisha used violence in their ministry against their opponents, but Jesus forbids it. Hate, force and violence have nothing to do with his message.

The word freedom is misused in many ways today. Many think that freedom means doing whatever you want. Christians are certainly free, but Paul teaches us that to love is to be truly free. God is love, and in our inner souls, we are too. When we are using our freedom to be truly human as God created us, wonderful things for us and for others result. When we misuse it in a selfish way, there is misery, suffering and injustice.