Sermon 08-16-09

II Kings 5:1-14                                                                  Hebrews 11:1-3

“In Quest for Healing”

Have you ever heard the story of Naaman?

This is a story that “… beginnings with a problem, leprosy. It ends in a

resolution, healing. Between the problem and the resolution is an extended narrative. The account of the healing points beyond itself to the prophet, and finally to God.”   (Brueggemann, Year B, pg. 144-45)

PRAYER

Naaman was a very important military leader. He was the chief commander of the Aramean army, (ancient Syria). This position gave him a higher social status. His military skills, wise strategies and capabilities gave him wealth, respect, reputation and confidence. God used him to give victory to the Nation of Syria in several wars with neighboring countries, including Israel.

Naaman had everything he could possibly want, including great human 

achievements. However he realized he had leprosy. He was afraid and scared, he had no human hope of cure. He needed a miracle! He needed healing!

In one of  the battles with Israel, Naaman took a young girl captive, to be a servant for his wife. When the girl heard of her master’s distress she told his wife about a prophet that lived in Samaria and did miracles in the land of Israel. If the girl was right, then there was hope!

So, Naaman’s wife talked to him; and Naaman talked to the king of Syria

asking for a reference letter. The King of Syria wrote a letter to the King of

Israel ordering the prophet to cure Naaman of his leprosy . Naaman took some of his servants and army to Israel in search for healing. He brought expensive gifts of gold and silver, believing that money, and a good reference letter, could help make the miracle happen.

When the king of Israel read the letter, he was distressed. He thought this

demand was a strategy for war. How can the King of Syria expect me to cure this man? Was this a pretext for war? I am not God! I don’t know what to do?

When Elisha, the prophet, heard about the King’s distress he asked him to send the man to him. This was Elisha’s way of letting Naaman know that there is a prophet in Israel, a man of God, as the young girl confessed. So the King sent Naaman over to Elisha.

Have you ever created your own expectations before doing something or going somewhere? I know  I have! Have you ever created an ideal picture?

While Naaman went towards the house of the prophet, Elisha, about 10 miles from the palace, he had enough time to create his own expectations; after all he was a commander “a great man who arrives in a great procession of limousines and police escort,” (idem) nothing less. He wanted a glorious miracle! He expected to be touched by this famous prophet of Israel. He imagined him putting his hands over him, praying for him, and healing him immediately. Following up with a great celebration, eating and opening gifts, together. “After all, he is a commander and believes that things happen by magisterial command.” (idem)

When Naaman got near the house of Elisha a messenger came to meet him saying: “Naaman go wash in the Jordan seven times and you will be clean." (v.10) Go and wash? That’s it? “It is all so odd and primitive.”  (idem)

Naaman was angry! He was outraged! He was indignant, his pride was hurt and his expectations vanished. No miracle? Nothing spectacular?

Why didn’t Elisha come out to greet me?

Why did he send a messenger to me instead?

Doesn’t he know who I am or who sent me?

Why didn’t he perform a miracle right then and there?

Why tell me to go to the river Jordan?

Have you ever been in the Jordan River?

I haven’t, but According to George Adam Smith, a geography historian of the Holy Land describes the river as: “muddy between the banks, careless of beauty, careless of life… a sharp contrast to the beauty of the rivers of Damascus.”

As Naaman was turning away in rage, he complained about “the process of

healing” proposed by the prophet. Elisha knew that Naaman needed more than a miracle, or just a simple solution to his problem. He needed first to find reconciliation between him and God. He had to stop in his rage; he needed an encounter with himself, with his own humanity, his own limitations, values and beliefs. He had to pay a higher price for his healing, he had to put his faith in action. He had to face and recognize his fears, his doubts and desperation. But was he ready? He was ready to go back home…

Naaman was “not prepared to engage in the seedy performance of quasi

magical acts. It is beneath him, and he refuses. He refuses the sort of healing that belongs to this ‘faith healer’ and would rather continue as a leper than humiliate himself and make a public spectacle of himself by washing in the Jordan seven times. He has better rivers, and will not submit.” (idem)

His servant wisely approached him and said to him: “Naaman, is what the

prophet asked you, too hard to do? “If the prophet had commanded you to do something difficult would you not have done it? How much more, when all he said to you was, ‘Wash, and be clean?’” (v.13)

The servant’s encouragement and challenge brought him back to his senses.

His words gave him the understanding of God’s healing, a movement that

breaks the past and creates a new future of hope, a new perspective and a new faith.

“The story ends in an act of submissive obedience of the commander to the plan of the prophet (v.14) The commander acts “according to the word of the man of God” and engages in ritual washing, which is beneath his station. The result is the one he had hoped for but doubted possible! He is made whole! He is made clean! He is made ritually acceptable. He is restored to full social acceptance, given back his humanity.” (idem)

Naaman recognizes that there is a God in Israel, that miracles do happen only when we put ourselves in the hands of God. Healing is a process of time. For Naaman there was not only a need for physical healing but also for spiritual healing. Naaman goes back to Elisha, he wanted to pay him for the miracle, he needed to confess his human condition of disbelief and he needed to ask forgiveness. Elisha did not accept the gifts. It was not about him, it was about God, and only God needed to be given all credit for the miracle.

Are you expecting an extravagant miracle?

Do you expect things to go your way?

Do you want a relationship with God that is new and different?

Are we in need of spiritual healing?

Do we have any rage that we are willing tp give up?

Are we ready to give up our rage?

How many times do we need to go back to the river, in order to be clean?

As Naaman reconciled himself with God, Elisha assured Naaman that the God of Israel was with him wherever he went, and he was sent back to his land in peace.

Benediction

Healing is a process that takes time…

“Faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction for things not seen…” Hebrews 11:1

Let us go out of this place in quest for the word of God, the healing power of Jesus, and the Spirit of peace and reconciliation. Amen!