Healing our Community
EPIPHANY 06
2 Kings 5:1-14 – Year B
“Healing in our Community”
2 Kings 5:1-14 (NIV)
Naaman Healed of Leprosy
5 Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the Lord had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy.a
2 Now bands from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife. 3 She said to her mistress, “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.”
4 Naaman went to his master and told him what the girl from Israel had said. 5 “By all means, go,” the king of Aram replied. “I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” So Naaman left, taking with him ten talentsb of silver, six thousand shekelsc of gold and ten sets of clothing. 6 The letter that he took to the king of Israel read: “With this letter I am sending my servant Naaman to you so that you may cure him of his leprosy.”
7 As soon as the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his robes and said, “Am I God? Can I kill and bring back to life? Why does this fellow send someone to me to be cured of his leprosy? See how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me!”
8 When Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his robes, he sent him this message: “Why have you torn your robes? Have the man come to me and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel.” 9 So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of 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.”
11 But Naaman went away angry and said, “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. 12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than any of the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed?” So he turned and went off in a rage.
13 Naaman’s servants went to him and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’!” 14 So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.
Today our Parish community gathers for one of only a few combined Parish services that will be held in 2009. Look around at the commitment to our Parish and the work that is being accomplished in your midst through the members of Bethany, Grace and St Johns. We are truly blessed to have this opportunity as sisters and brothers in the faith to spend time both in God’s and one another’s company. God’s work in the world is accomplished through each of you who are gathered here today.
There is a wonderfully gentle story about a conversation that transpired in heaven between Jesus and the angel Gabriel. After His resurrection and ascension Jesus returned to heaven. Upon His return to heaven, Jesus was welcomed by a host of angels. The angel Gabriel approached Jesus and asked, “Master, now that you’re home, what is your plan for continuing the work you began on earth?”
“Well, I left Peter in charge” He said. “I told my disciples to wait in the city until the Spirit comes[1]. Then they’ll have the power and motivation to be my witnesses all over the world[2]. Peter, James, John, Mary and Martha and all the others will tell people about me and my mission. Those who are told will tell others, and the good news will be spread throughout the earth. Ultimately, all humanity will know about my love.”
Gabriel frowned and looked rather sceptical. He knew about human limitation, weakness and failure. He said, “But what if Peter denies you[3], again? What if James and John can’t get along – remember, they have previously had discussions with you about their importance in your Kingdom[4]. What if Mary and Martha grow weary? You know, Martha complaining about all the work she’s been left to do[5]. What if they all run away again in the face of persecution? Judas has already betrayed you[6]. What if other disciples betray and denounce you? What if the people who come after them forget what you taught them? You know that the faith is only ever one generation away from extinction. Do you have an alternate plan – a backup?
Jesus answered, “No. I'm counting on them. I plan to build my church on my teachings[7] that I left with them. I plan to feed the hungry and clothe the needy in Jerusalem through them[8]. I plan to befriend the outcasts in Samaria and to the ends of the earth[9] through them. I plan to right injustice and bring peace to the entire world through them! I plan to save the world and build the kingdom of God on earth through their words, their actions and character. I have told them, you are my body. You have my spirit. You will do greater works than I[10]. You can do it!”
Gabriel was still concerned and said: “Master, perhaps you should have made other arrangements, just in case. As you know that these humans can be fickle. They may begin to follow you – and then simply walk away from the faith you have blessed them with. They may find the allure of the world too great and fall for its deception. They may feel that there are other more important things to be doing on any given Sunday – even today. Do you think that you should have a ‘Plan B’, just in case?”
Jesus answered: “Gabriel, there is no other plan. This is the only plan there is. The only way my message is going to be spread is at the hands of those who love me.”
There is no other plan for Jesus’ message to be spread in the world but through people just like you and me. That’s Jesus’ plan; that’s the whole plan to save the world. That’s it. There is no plan B. You and I are all there is. We are plan A; there is no plan B.
Jesus’ plan for all people is to come to a saving knowledge of Him[11]. In other words they are to have faith and believe in Jesus as the Saviour of the world[12]. That’s how important you are to God. He wants you in eternity with Him. But wait, there’s more. God is not content with you simply believing in Him so that at death you step into eternity in His presence. God’s love for you is so great that He wants you to have the best possible life here on earth – right now, right here, right today. Your faith, belief in and commitment to God ensures joy in this life and the absolute certainty of the next.
Since Pentecost and up until this day, Christians all over the world have the spirit of God working in them. We received the empowerment that comes from the Holy Spirit at our baptism. The Spirit in our life gives us the ability to believe[13] and draws us into a deeper relationship with Jesus. When we believe it is this same Spirit that gives us the power and ability to evangelise, make disciples, witness, and work for justice, all the time knowing that Christ is working through them and doing all this without counting the cost – ever.
In the reading from 2 Kings, Elisha did not come and do anything special to or for Naaman (that’s actually what got him upset[14]). Elisha sent out a servant[15] to pronounce God’s verdict on the leprosy. As you know Naaman got even more upset as he felt that washing in any river should be able to effect a cure[16]. Fortunately he listened to his servant and was cured[17].
From this we learn a couple of things.
Firstly, God does not need prophets, priests or pastors to achieve His will. God can and does work through any person He chooses to. God can even work through an unbeliever to accomplish His will[18].
Another thing that is clear here is that God may require us to be faithful in small things before entrusting larger things to us. For example, Naaman was told to wash seven times in the Jordan River. Would he have only been 86% healed if he had only washed six times, or only 43% healed if he had only washed three times? I think not. The cure was effected after he had been fully obedient to Elisha’s words. Washing seven times in the Jordan was what was required. No more and no less.
If we are not faithful to God when He calls us to undertake small tasks in His service, then surely He is not going to entrust us with greater things. It’s a little like the master who went away and gave to his servants ten minas[19] (a mina was about three months wages). One servant took the one mina and gained ten more, another took the mina and gained five more and one went off and buried it. The one who gained ten more minas was told:
“‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’[20]
The second servant was told:
‘You take charge of five cities’
The one who buried the mina was told that it was going to be taken from him.
By demonstrating ability with one mina, the faithful servants were entrusted with more. When you are faithful with a little, God will use you in greater things[21].
God works through each of us in the Parish to heal our community, this Parish community and one another. Until we are united in our faith and love for God and one another, we are not in any position to witness to others.
We are all in the need of Jesus’ healing touch and each one of us is called to minister to one another. As you have been gifted – so you are called to share and use that gift in God’s service and the service of one another. If you do not believe that you are gifted for service in God’s world, then I would encourage you to immerse yourself in His Word and in prayer asking Him to show you what you have been missing[22]. For each of you has been touched by God and uniquely equipped for serving Him[23].
God does not make mistakes! You are here in this Parish for a reason, God has you here for a specific purpose and we must seek His leading and direction to see how we can fulfil our role in Jesus’ plan A; to spread His saving word. You were born for a time such as this![24]
It is impossible for you to ‘out-give God’. As you are obedient to God’s call on your life, so too blessings will follow. This can be coined – living life in the sweet spot. As you are obedient with small things and grow in Him, then you will find you are drawn to that place in your life and Christian walk for which you are uniquely made and gifted. It is in that place that you will discover the blessings that are in store for you. These will very likely not be the sort of blessings that the world would expect – ie. fame and riches. However, they are the blessings that you are made for and it is there that you’ll derive the greatest happiness, pleasure, joy and satisfaction possible in serving our Lord and each other.
Scripture tells me that we have got the Spirit of love and power in our midst. You can make a difference in the world.
Scripture tells me that you have the spirit of gentleness. Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near[25].
Scripture tells me that you have the spirit of compassion. I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose their reward[26].
Scripture tells me that you have the spirit of discernment. You are not to conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — His good, pleasing and perfect will[27].
Scripture tells me that you have the spirit of prophesy. By speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Him who is the Head, that is, Christ[28]
Scripture tells me that you have the spirit of power. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline[29].
You have the spirit of Jesus inside you. You are Jesus’ Plan A. Determine today to become his hands and feet.
Amen.
X The peace of God that passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. X
Information, illustrations, literature and themes, for this sermon are gleaned from a variety of sources. If I have violated copyright held by an individual, then please contact the writer of the sermon and your source will be acknowledged, or removed at your request.
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a The Hebrew word was used for various diseases affecting the skin—not necessarily leprosy; also in verses 3, 6, 7, 11 and 27.
b That is, about 750 pounds (about 340 kilograms)
c That is, about 150 pounds (about 70 kilograms)
[1] Acts 1:4,5
[2] Acts 1:8
[3] Luke 22:54-62
[4] Mark 10:37
[5] Luke 10:40
[6] Mark 14:10
[7] Matthew 16:18
[8] Matthew 25:34-46
[9] Acts 1:8
[10] John 14:12
[11] 1 Timothy 2:4
[12] 1 Timothy 1:15
[13] Luther’s Explanation to the Third Article of the Apostles’ Creed
[14] 2 Kings 5:11
[15] 2 Kings 5:10
[16] 2 Kings 5:12
[17] 2 Kings 5:13,14
[18] Isaiah 45:13
[19] Luke 19:12-27
[20] Luke 19:17 (NIV)
[21] Matthew 25:14-30 (esp vv 21, 23)
[22] Jeremiah 1:5a
[23] Jeremiah 29:11ff
[24] Esther 4:14
[25] Philippians 4:5
[26] Mark 9:41
[27] Romans 12:2
[28] Ephesians 4:15
[29] 2 Timothy 1:7