2 Kings 5:1-14
“I thought he would…” Criticism comes when expectations are not met. Naaman expected Elisha to come out and call on the name of the LORD his God and wave his hand over the spot and cure the leprosy! Instead he gets a message to go and wash in the Jordan seven times. Elisha didn't even come out to see him much less touch and heal him! No wonder scripture says he was angry and went away in a rage!
The least religious have the greatest expectations of religion. It is bothersome to the holy crowd. Why are people like that?
1. They got their expectations from media, everything from horror movies with demons and warrior priests to dramas where the pastor pronounces a married couple man and wife instead of husband and wife. Horror movies are not documentaries, and movies like License to Wed aren't a good description of pre-marital counseling, ministers don't have comedy writers feeding them one-liners. Media magnifies expectations.
2. The less experienced you have with something, the simpler it seems. Think of before you drove a car, it seemed so simple, but when first tried it, you couldn't get the key to work. Or before you got married, or had kids, or started a job…it looked easy until you tried. Every now and then I talk with couples who put down on their inventories that marriage will solve all their problems. Experience corrects expectations.
3. Some are looking to be disappointed. They need to justify the lack of time and attention they have given matters of faith. What better way to get a “get out of church free card” then to get angry that they have failed you. The Yiddish proverb is right: “If you don't want to do something, one excuse is as good as another.” Expectations to fail are usually fulfilled.
Have you met someone like Naaman? Wanting faith but rejecting religion? Ready to buy a religious wedding, but not follow the teachings and ideals of marriage? Willing to go to a holy show, but not follow the instructions given during the performance? I think we have a lot of Naamans around us. Maybe you have a little Naaman in you.
Our Part in Miracle
Look at the genius of Elisha. He requires an act of faith, that Naaman do something, before the healing occurs. Elisha might have known that such requirements would have made Naaman angry. Maybe that is why he didn't go out to see him! Have you asked God or a prophet of God, or a prayer chain for a healing? A cure? A miracle? What have you done in faith in partnership to that request? Washing out leprosy seems futile, but doing what the prophet teaches is an expression of obedience to and faith in God than the healing powers of the Jordan river.
There is no reason to wash in the Jordan river, instead of the rivers of Avana and Pharpar in Damascus except faith. Here is a place faithful people part from others. Others want an action to make sense without God or faith. A recent scene of Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip had the Christian character teaching the producer how to pray. She takes him to the chapel and tells him to get on his knees to pray. Like a modern day Naaman, he objects wondering why God needs him to kneel. Her answer: “The knelling isn't for Him but for you.” God doesn't need our obedience, our faith; our faith is for us not for him.
This is the difference between magic and miracle. Magic is control of the deity. You put your faith quarter in and out pops your prize, like God was a cosmic gumball machine. Miracles come through faith, doing and living as God directs; living in love of God and others even though there is no payoff. It is bathing in the Jordan seven times even there is no way that the magical waters of Jordan will cure leprosy. It is doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with God even though there is no cash prize. Faith is its own reward. Miracles come as God wills, as we do what God wills.
Anger
Ever been in Naaman's place? You have gone to God, in prayer, in church, to a pastor or parent, or friend and gotten less than you were expecting? The worship and song didn't lift your up. The sermon was tepid. You didn't get your prayers answered. Do you get relied up about how they weren't faithful? The angry and rage almost covered up Naaman's failure of faith. We are most angry when our shortcomings are reflected in other people. Because, emotions are all about me. Naaman was there angry that Elisha hadn't done the minimum for his cure, until his servant pointed out, indirectly that Naaman hasn't done enough for his cure either.
When you are angry. Look at yourself, not at the other, as wrong and condemn to hell he or she might be! Put that aside and ask why that person has so much power over me? Why does that person hook me so much? What can you do in your own life and outlook that you see a lack in the other person? When Naaman was able to focus on what he needed to do, rather than what Elisha should have done…God was able to work miracles.
God's Working of Miracle
Holy people may fail. If we rely on them to come out wave their hands over our problems and cure them. Look at this story at the beginning and the end…a slave girl—not holy witnesses to Naaman's wife her faith that the prophet can cure Naaman. This sets the healing in motion. Then when everything goes horribly wrong…it is Naaman's servants again that turn Naaman's rage into faithful obedience…at least obedience, he might have been grumbling, I suppose.
You can be these people, sharing your faith like the slave girl, or encouraging and supporting obedience like Naaman's servants. If you don't have people like this around you get them. For it takes more than holy people waving their arms to make miracles happen it takes those who suggest ministry and help to people and those who encourage those who need to take steps toward healing and wholeness.
Conclusion
Be a part of the miracle, seek out God's way, look at obstacles and disappointments as opportunities for faithful action. Listen to the prompting and encouraging of others on your path to healing, and in turn, be a prompter and encourager of others.
Creative Commons: Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Deed