Old Testament Reading: II Kings 5:1-19
In Luke 5, faith is required in two instances. First, there is Jesus' call to his disciples (Simon & Levi); they must both realize that despite their sinfulness God has chosen to redeem their lives. They must exercise their faith to obey Jesus' call and follow him - they must believe in God's grace. Second, we see the faith of the sick and their friends as they come to Jesus for healing. These instances are not unlike the story of Naaman in the Old Testament who like the widow in yesterday's entry struggled to believe and obey God's voice. This is the challenge of anyone who wants to follow Jesus - to trust in God's grace and obey his call.
Naaman was a powerful and valiant man. A revered commander of the armies of the mightiest empire in his world. Despite his outward success and physical strength, he had a hidden, crippling weakness. Something his wealth, power, and wisdom could not overcome. It was an incurable disease called leprosy.
Naaman likely did not realize that is was the LORD God of Israel that had given him his success. (vs. 1) In this story, we see an amazing demonstration of God's sovereign grace. In the midst of God disciplining his people Israel through Syria, He is also working to bring a powerful, pagan warrior to faith in the Himself. Thus, we see something of God's passion for his own glory in this story. He is not content to allow a Syrian commander to think by his own skill or aptitude he has become so successful. Instead, he wants this commander to acknowledge HIM as the sovereign LORD of ALL nations.
So, God who so often loves to use the lowly and weak people of this world (think fishermen and tax collectors) to carry his message uses a terribly evil circumstance, the capture of an Israelite girl into slavery, to save Naaman and get the glory he deserves for Naaman's success.
While God orchestrated every moment of Naaman's life and journey to Elisha the prophet, God leaves ONE thing left for Naaman to do. It is the thing that God leaves every human to do. God requires him (and us) to take a step of faith and obey his command. Naaman must believe his divine cleansing can be fulfilled in the muddy waters of the Jordan river. It is at the the prophet's simplistic command to go wash in the Jordan river 7 times that Naaman balks. How often do we balk at receiving God's grace and forgiveness? How often are we (as Naaman was) seeking to do some "great deed" for God (be it a long fast, more active church participation, or more holy living) to gain God's favor and give him a reason to answer our requests? How often do we miss God's one requirement - go wash in the blood of his Lamb? (see here for vs.)
It was Naaman's pride and self-sufficiency that almost led him to refuse God's grace. This refusal would have resulted in the slow subjection of his life to disease and complete isolation from God. Luckily or sovereignly, Naaman had some good friends who encouraged him to obey. Naaman washed in the Jordan and came out healed. His life was completely changed, and God's mercy and sovereignty were finally acknowledged as Naaman's final declaration makes clear.
"Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel... and from now on your servant will not offer burnt offerings and sacrifice to any god but the Lord." (II King 5:15,17)
No comments:
Post a Comment