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Lessons
from a Leper
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Many of you are familiar with the story of Naaman the leper in 2
Kings 5. Some of you may not be, so let me briefly relate it to you
(please read it if you have a Bible handy). Naaman was a highly
respected captain of the Syrian army, a valiant warrior to whom God
had given much success in battle. He had one problem however -- he
was a leper. He had a little Israelite servant girl who had been
taken captive and yet she seemed to have a love and respect for her
heathen master, Naaman. So she told him about a prophet in Israel ?
Elisha who could heal him of his leprosy. Naaman informed his king who
then sent him to be healed. But when Naaman arrived with his chariots
and horses at the home of Elisha, expecting Elisha to come out and
wave his hand over his leprosy and heal him, the prophet instead sent
a messenger to tell Naaman to go dip in the Jordan River seven times.
Naaman was outraged! Not only did Elisha not personally come out to
Naaman, but the Jordan River was nothing special. There were far greater rivers in Syria. Fortunately, Naaman had some wise servants who reasoned with him that the simplicity of Elisha's demand should make it all the more acceptable. So Naaman went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan and was cleansed of his leprosy. There are so many lessons in this wonderful story. We see God working in a number of surprising ways, including through a little girl who had been stolen from her home and made a slave. She showed no bitterness towards her captors, but rather became a source for God's love to be displayed to them. This little girl's faith was used mightily by God. We also learn from Naaman, he was at first proud and arrogant, devising his own plans of how God ought to heal him. Yet he listened to his servants and humbled himself. He was open and teachable. Naaman foreshadowed how the Gentiles would readily receive the gospel when they were presented with it (Lk 4.25-27). Perhaps the most striking lesson is in the parallels to NT baptism. Naaman rightly saw that there was nothing special about the Jordan River that would make it the source of healing his leprosy. Yet unless he dipped in it, there would be no healing. The power was not in the water, but in his obedience of faith and in God who heals. This is exactly like NT baptism. There is no special power in water that can wash away sins, and yet that is exactly what happens when one is scripturally baptized (Acts 2.38; 22.16; 1 Pet 3.20-21). Many balk at the very idea of baptism being essential to salvation. What they often fail to realize, however, is that the power is not in the water, but in the obedience of faith, i.e. "faith in the working of God" (Col 2.12-13). Baptism is merely our humble acceptance of salvation in Christ. God does the work of forgiving. But as with Naaman, without the "dipping", there would be no cleansing. Don't let spiritual pride hinder you from humbly accepting Jesus Christ in the simple but beautiful act of baptism. If he required something great of you, would you do it? How much more so when he asks this simple thing? -This article is from Randy's "Monday Morning Musings". If you would like to be added to his e-mail list, please click on button below. |