When we read 2 Kings 5, we are introduced to a mighty general of the Syrian army, a man named Naaman. This man was mighty, as verse one says, “because by him the LORD had given victory to Syria.” But there was a problem… he was a leper.
We know enough about this disease to know how devastating it could be to someone’s life. It was painful and highly contagious. Most people were shunned and isolated. Yet, somehow, Naaman was a successful, highly honored man, despite suffering from this terrible condition.
The king of Syria thought enough of this mighty general to allow him to serve as commander of his army and even to send him to the enemy on the chance he might be healed.
“And the king of Syria said, “Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” So he went, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten changes of clothing. And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, which read, “When this letter reaches you, know that I have sent to you Naaman my servant, that you may cure him of his leprosy.” (2 Kings 5:5-6 ESV).
This was all because of an Israeli servant girl who told Naaman’s wife about a prophet in Israel who could heal him. Well, Naaman found his way to this prophet and waited for a healing that could change the quality of his life instantly.
You know the story. Elisha sent his servant to tell Naaman to dip in the Jordan river seven times, and he’d be healed of his leprosy.
That’s it. Nothing fancy or magnificent. Simply dip seven times in a dirty river far from home.
There would be no show, no waving of the hands, no ceremony fit for a mighty man of valor.
“But Naaman was angry and went away, saying, “Behold, I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call upon the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper. Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage.” (2 Kings 5:11-12 ESV).
Well, a couple of his servants calm him down with some simple advice:
“But his servants came near and said to him, “My father, it is a great word the prophet has spoken to you; will you not do it? Has he actually said to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” (2 Kings 5:13 ESV).
And so this mighty man of valor humbles himself and dips seven times in a dirty river, just as God’s prophet instructed him. The result? God cleansed Naaman of his leprosy and immediately transformed the quality of his life. Naaman goes on to do everything he can to show his undying gratitude for this act of grace from Israel’s God.
But I wonder if there’s a little bit of Naaman in each of us at times. Do we often look at what God asks of us and sometimes feel that what He’s asking is beneath us?
Instead of a cup of cold water, do we seek to be given a banquet of food to share with those in need?
Instead of washing someone’s feet, do we look for ways we can excuse ourselves from dirtying our hands in our service to others?
Instead of being immersed in baptism for the remission of sins, do we storm away in a rage because we think He should save us in a more theatrical manner?
Instead of repenting and asking our brother for forgiveness, do we wait for him to beg for our forgiveness? Or worse, do we cut him off with no chance in our hearts for reconciliation because he has wronged us?
I am ashamed when I find a little Naaman in my heart. The times when God tells me simply how I should conduct myself, and I huff and puff because what He’s asking is not what I want to do. Sometimes I want to serve God my way so much that I am blind to see how He wants me to serve Him.
But no matter how much of a rage I fly into when God asks me to do something I don’t want to do, the truth is the same truth that Naaman learned. Simply dipping seven times in a dirty river can change the quality of my life if that’s what is asked of me.
When the Naaman inside of me starts to exert himself, I need to humble my heart and seek what the Lord would have me to do, and then trust that it can transform my life. God’s ways are always best, and His instructions are always meant to transform my life if I give myself wholly to His will for me.
Is there a little Naaman in my life? Perhaps. But with God’s grace and His help, hopefully, the Naaman in me that prevails is the one who finally submits in humility and dips seven times in a dirty river because that’s what He has told me to do.
In my opinion, we are entering a Romans 14 time of the year. Whatever your disposition is toward the holidays, let’s remember to abound in love and grace for one another.
This is a great opportunity to teach a world that thirsts for division how to love the way that Jesus loves.
“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35 ESV).
What a joy to know that we may worship with people today who may not often think about God.
I pray that all of our hearts are touched with the good news of Jesus today.
He is coming back.