Healing And Grace Beyond Pride And Power

2 Kings 5:9-14

"So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha's house. 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.' 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. Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn't I wash in them and be cleansed?' So he turned and went off in a rage. 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 to wash and be cleansed!' 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." (NIV)

In 2 Kings 5, we encounter the story of Naaman, a powerful commander in the Syrian army who suffered from leprosy. Despite his position, influence, and military success, Naaman was desperate for healing from this painful and isolating disease. A surprising twist in his story is that it was a young, captive Israelite girl—working as a servant in Naaman's household—who suggested that Naaman seek out the prophet Elisha in Israel for healing.

She remained faithful to her beliefs and to the responsibilities she was given, earning the respect and love of Naaman and his household. We talked about how this little girl, though a captive and servant, was so loved and trusted by them that her words carried weight. She brought forward a solution for her master's condition—Naaman’s leprosy.

She courageously suggested that there was a prophet in Israel who might be able to heal him. Despite her young age and lowly position as a servant, she boldly spoke up. It took immense courage for a young housemaid to suggest to a military captain that he should seek help from a foreign prophet. Yet she did this out of her faith, knowing that there was a living God who could heal diseases. She didn’t shy away but stood firm in her faith, leading Naaman to act on her suggestion.

Although the story involves prominent figures like the king, the captain, and the prophet Elisha, I believe that the true hero is this young girl. Through her unwavering faith, she changed the life of a great man, guiding him to an encounter with the living God. Naaman, a man who did not know the Living God, came to believe in God's power because of the testimony of this young girl. She shared her faith in the God who answers prayers and heals sicknesses, and Naaman accepted that there was indeed a living God who could heal him.

Naaman, though a powerful military captain, had leprosy and desperately needed healing. This shows that no matter how great or influential we think we are—whether we have wealth, fame, or power—none of us are immune to challenges or afflictions. We are all, in some way or another, in need of healing.

Our greatest underlying ailment, however, is the sickness of sin. Sin pervades every part of our lives, regardless of who we are, where we come from, or what status we hold. Sin is universal; it affects every one of us born into this world.

But just as the little girl told Naaman, there is a Living God who can forgive our sins and set us free from the bondage of sin and guilt. If we humble ourselves before God, repent of our sins, and give our lives to Him, He is merciful and kind. He will forgive all our sins and provide the cleansing we so desperately need.

The king of Aram sent a letter along with Naaman, addressed to the king of Israel, stating: "I am sending my servant, Naaman, to you so that you may heal him of his leprosy." This was a request for healing from Israel, as the king of Aram had heard there was someone in Israel who could cure Naaman. Leprosy, at that time, was an incurable disease. Although we now have effective treatments, in the past, it was considered a severe and dreaded condition.

Naaman took this letter from the king of Aram to the king of Israel. However, when the king of Israel read the letter, he was terrified. He assumed that the king of Aram was trying to provoke a fight by making an impossible request. The king of Israel exclaimed, "Am I God? How can I cure someone’s leprosy? How does he expect me to heal him?"