It’s Time To Heal

I can relate to people in the Bible who had leprosy. I have eczema, an irritating skin condition that cannot be cured but can be relieved– sometimes. It’s physically and socially uncomfortable. I remember being shunned by children growing up because they thought I was contagious. Who knows how much money I’ve spent trying to clear it over the years. So, it doesn’t surprise me that the time had come for Naaman, a Syrian military commander of the Old Testament, to try something really crazy and presumably expensive to heal his leprosy.

A servant girl of Naaman’s wife told her that Naaman could be cured if he went to her homeland of Samaria to see the prophet, Elisha. Despite the atrocities this child must have witnessed and experienced, being dragged off by marauders and forced into servitude in a foreign land, this girl harbored faith in the God of Israel. God had healed her of the damaging pain of past experiences. It’s now time to use her to open the door of healing for others.

Naaman tells the king what he has heard and gets permission to visit Elisha. Astonishing, isn’t it, that a valiant soldier takes a female child at her word and a king heeds the advice of a foreign servant-girl! Off marches, Naaman, taking LOTS of silver and gold with him. Being the hotshot that he is, Naaman is outraged when Elisha refuses to cure him personally. Instead, he has his servant instruct him to take a dip in the Jordan River. Fortunately for Naaman, one of his servants convinces him to comply. He washes himself in the river seven times and is healed beyond his dreams! The Bible tells us that his skin is restored to that of a young boy. Being an honorable man of the world, Naaman goes back to pay Elisha for his services. Being a man of God, Elisha refuses compensation.

Naaman journeyed to Israel for physical healing. He left with faith in the eternal God. He recognized that there was something special, holy about this land and this God. He takes a bunch of dirt from Israel back home to create a space to worship the true God. He never again offers sacrifices to idols of his homeland.

Lord, may your church be like the servants in this story who are healed to guide others to you, the great Healer. Let this be the time for miraculous healings in our world that excite our spirits and reconcile many to you. Amen.