For our meditation we will look at Luke 4:16, “Then Jesus went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath he went as usual to the synagogue. He stood up to read the Scriptures ..” (GNB)
Jesus was returning to Nazareth, which was His home town where He had grown up, and it was a Sabbath day. As was His custom, Jesus went to the synagogue where the scriptures were read and taught. There was a huge crowd that gathered that day, probably out of curiosity from all that they heard about Jesus, as Jesus had grown up in their own town. When Jesus came into the synagogue, He was handed over the scripture scroll to read from. Jesus found the portion of scripture from Isaiah 61 and began to read the portion which said as recorded in Luke 4:18, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has chosen me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed” (GNB)
Those who had gathered there were stirred in their hearts as they heard Jesus read the scriptures. This was what they said to each other as recorded in Luke 4:22, All the people spoke well of him. They were amazed to hear the gracious words flowing from his lips. They said, "Isn't this Joseph's son?" (GW) The problem for these people was that they failed to recognize Jesus to be the Son of God, and were looking at Him entirely as the son of Joseph the carpenter, who was from their own town.
Jesus perceived their thoughts, and understood that they were proud of their heritage, their place of worship, their traditions and rituals, and that they failed to comprehend who He truly was. Jesus spoke these words of caution to them as recorded in the verses below.
We read in Luke 4:25-27, “Listen to me: it is true that there were many widows in Israel during the time of Elijah, when there was no rain for three and a half years and a severe famine spread throughout the whole land. Yet Elijah was not sent to anyone in Israel, but only to a widow living in Zarephath in the territory of Sidon. And there were many people suffering from a dreaded skin disease who lived in Israel during the time of the prophet Elisha; yet not one of them was healed, but only Naaman the Syrian."” (GNB)
The Lord Jesus was referring to a couple of incidents that occurred almost eight hundred years prior to His coming down to earth.
The widow at Zarephath
In those days when the famine was severe in the land, this particular widow, and her son too were in dire straits with almost nothing. God sent the prophet Elijah to visit this widow, and God did a mighty miracle to provide for Elijah, the widow and her son all through that season of famine.
Naaman the Syrian
The other person Jesus referred to was Naaman the commander of the Syrian Army, who was struck with leprosy, whom the Lord healed through the prophet Elisha.
Jesus referred to these two people because both of them were considered to be Gentiles by the Jewish community. Nonetheless, their faith and obedience in God resulted in them receiving provision, and healing from the Lord’s hands. Jesus had to emphasize to the people gathered there that though there were many other widows during the days of Elijah, and many who had leprosy in the times of Elisha among the Israelites, but that God chose to do miracles for these two, both of whom were considered heathens.
The people were angered
When those in the synagogue heard this, this was their reaction as recorded in Luke 4:28-29, When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were filled with anger. They rose up, dragged Jesus out of town, and took him to the top of the hill on which their town was built. They meant to throw him over the cliff, (GNB)
These are people in whose town Jesus had grown up, but when Jesus pointed out their lack of faith, they were infuriated. Their rage made them push Jesus out of the synagogue. The synagogue is a place where the word had to be preached, and this should be done with truth, as truth alone could set them free. The ones who had gathered there were unwilling to accept Jesus’ admonishing, and were instead looking for ways to have Him done away with. When Jesus spoke about His mission the crowds were silent, but when He pointed out to their lack of faith, they were totally annoyed, and enraged with Him.
Sadly, even today many have thrust Jesus out of their churches because they are not willing to receive His word of exhortation. The words of admonishing are crucial for us as children of God, and we need to be ready to accept it, when the Lord is rebuking us on something. Generally, if you reprimand children or young people about somethings that they are doing wrong, they will get irritated with you. However, as we grow older we understand that these warnings from God are for our own good. Depending on the way we deal with these exhortations, we can assess the state in which we are in. For example if we get upset about these reprimands, it is a sure sign that we are lacking in maturity.
Jesus is willing to do mighty miracles even today, but these are possible only if we have faith coupled with obedience. We should analyze our lives to check as to what are the areas in our lives where we are still disobedient to the Lord. God is one who blesses us for sure, but God expects us to be those who will implicitly obey His word.
Abraham believed and obeyed
Abraham was the father of faith, but this is how James explains about Abraham in James 2:21, “How was our ancestor Abraham put right with God? It was through his actions, when he offered his son Isaac on the altar.” (GNB)
We therefore understand that to have faith is one thing, but this faith should be revealed through our obedience.
When Abraham obeyed God implicitly, these are the words of the Lord to him in Genesis 22:18, “Every nation on the earth will be blessed through your descendants. I will do this because you obeyed me."” (ERV) Abraham received the manifold blessings of God by His complete obedience to God.
The widow of Zarephath, received her blessings only when she obeyed the words of God and the prophet. So also, Naaman received his healing when he chose to obey the word of the prophet Elisha. Jesus spoke about the healing that Naaman received as something very special by comparing him with the many in Israel who were inflicted with leprosy, but did not have faith or obedience to receive this miracle from the Lord. Naaman believed and obeyed and hence he was the recipient of this spectacular healing from the Lord.
Naaman’s predicament
2 Kings Chapter 5 gives us the detailed account of this miracle that happened in the life of Naaman the captain of the Syrian army. Naaman was wealthy, and he was an accomplished captain who had won many victories for Syria. However, he was struck with leprosy, and though he was applauded outside, at his home he was in anguish about his condition.
There are many who appear to be proficient to those outside, but deep inside they are struggling with sins that they would not want anyone to know about.
The young girl who cared
There was a young slave girl who worked for Naaman’s wife, who was brought from the land of Israel. This young girl was separated from her family, was in a foreign country, and was living as a slave in Naaman’s house. In spite of all the troubles that she faced, this young girl was able to discern the problem that her master Naaman was challenged with.
Oftentimes, when there is a little lack in our lives many of us tend to complain and grumble about our situation. We question God about the circumstances that we find ourselves in. This young girl was different. Not only did this young girl have her faith firm in the Lord, she also looked for opportunity to help her master who was in need.
The young girl’s counsel
Listen to her advice given to her mistress as found in the verse below.
We read in 2 Kings 5:3, “One day she said to her mistress, "I wish that my master could go to the prophet who lives in Samaria! He would cure him of his disease."” (GNB)
This young girl gave the assurance to her mistress that if Naaman could go to the prophet Elisha in Samaria, he would certainly be healed. One can imagine the kind of testimony that this young girl had that prompted her master Naaman to go to Samaria, and stand at the door of the prophet just as the young girl advised.
The unusual instruction
We read in 2 Kings 5:9-10, “So Naaman went with his horses and chariot and stopped at the entrance to Elisha's house. Elisha sent a servant out to tell him to go and wash himself seven times in the Jordan River, and he would be completely cured of his disease.” (GNB)
Naaman was now instructed by the prophet Elisha that he should go the river Jordan, and wash himself seven times in the river, in order to receive his healing.
The reasons Naaman was angry
Listen to Naaman’s response in 2 Kings 5:11, “But Naaman left in a rage, saying, "I thought that he would at least come out to me, pray to the LORD his God, wave his hand over the diseased spot, and cure me!” (GNB)
The first reason for Naaman’s anger was that he thought the prophet would come out and perform a miracle for him, but strangely the instruction Naaman received seemed far too simple. Naaman had probably tried all sorts of difficult treatments earlier to no avail. The prophet just sent his servant to command Naaman to go, and wash himself in the river Jordan which seemed far too trivial for the Syrian commander. The instruction to Naaman was a very simple one.
Every so often people want God to answer them the way that that think is best, and when it doesn’t happen they get annoyed with Him. Whenever, God commands us to do something, if we are willing to obey, we will certainly receive a blessing from the Lord. If the people of Nazareth had accepted, and received the word of Jesus they would have been blessed bountifully. They would have experienced the same miracles that were performed by Jesus at Capernaum, but wistfully instead of believing they rejected Jesus, and consequently missed out on the blessings that should have been theirs.
We also read in 2 Kings 5:12, “Besides, aren't the rivers Abana and Pharpar, back in Damascus, better than any river in Israel? I could have washed in them and been cured!"” (GNB)
The next reason why Naaman was so upset was that he could not understand why he had to wash himself in the Jordan River, when there were far better rivers back home in Damascus from where he came from. This made Naaman angry and he was wanting to go back.
If we desire to receive the blessings of God it is imperative that we do things the way He says it should be done. If we fail to do so, we will also forfeit the blessings that could be ours.
The counsel of the servants
The servants of Naaman who accompanied him were good men and here was their response to Naaman as found in 2 Kings 5:13, His servants went up to him and said, "Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something difficult, you would have done it. Now why can't you just wash yourself, as he said, and be cured?" (GNB)
Probably the servants knew Naaman’s temperament much better as they worked for him. They therefore gave him counsel to go ahead, and do as the prophet instructed him to.
Sometimes when there are those who are below us who give us some counsel, it is good to analyze if it would be beneficial to us.
Naaman humbly accepts
When the servants of Naaman shared their thoughts with him, Naaman was humble enough to accept it and this is what he did as found in 2 Kings 5:14, “So Naaman went down to the Jordan, dipped himself in it seven times, as Elisha had instructed, and he was completely cured. His flesh became firm and healthy like that of a child.” (GNB)
As Naaman obeyed the command of the prophet, and went down into the river Jordan seven times, he was totally cured, and his flesh became firm and healthy like that of a child. When Naaman believed the word of the young girl he was not cured, but it was only when he obeyed the word of the prophet Elisha did he receive his miraculous healing.
The problem of every human being is the numerous sins that we have committed some willfully, and some ignorantly. Jesus is our Saviour who can save us from the clutches of sin, and no man can find a remission for his sins by his own effort.
The command to baptize
The risen Lord Jesus gave this great commission to his disciples in Matthew 28:19-20, “Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age.” (GNB)
Jesus was with His disciples for three and a half years, and it was now time for the risen Lord to ascend into the heavens. The commission that Jesus gave to His disciples was that they should go into the world to make disciples of others. This meant that the disciples were to teach others to put their faith in Jesus, and to follow His teachings. Secondly, Jesus also gave the command that they baptize those who believe in Him. It was in this same Jordan River that Jesus too was baptized by John the Baptist.
What is baptism?
Baptism is the act of obedience that follows when one becomes aware that they are a sinner, and that their sins have separated them from God. One also has to believe that Jesus died on the cross for the sins of all mankind, shed His blood for our sins, and has the authority to forgive our sins. There are many explanations for baptism, but if we study the word of God we will receive clarity and all our doubts will be removed.
Paul explains this in Romans 6:3-5, “For surely you know that when we were baptized into union with Christ Jesus, we were baptized into union with his death. By our baptism, then, we were buried with him and shared his death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from death by the glorious power of the Father, so also we might live a new life. For since we have become one with him in dying as he did, in the same way we shall be one with him by being raised to life as he was.” (GNB)
We too can participate in the resurrection of Jesus, when we become united with Him in His death through baptism. The ones who are so united with Christ in His death, will so also be united with Him in His resurrection.
One of the rulers of the Jewish Counsel named Nicodemus came to Jesus, and was astounded when Jesus told him that he should be born again if he wanted to enter the kingdom of God. Nicodemus could not comprehend how someone as old as he was could be born again. We all know that every fetus grows in the uterus which is filled with the amniotic fluid. This is how every baby is born into this world, and this is the first birth. The second birth is when one believes in Jesus, and goes down into the waters of baptism, for by so doing we are professing that the old sinful man is dead, buried and that we are rising up to a new life, just as Jesus too was resurrected from the dead.
That is why we read in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”(ESV) Anyone who is in Christ has become a new creation. There are two ways in which we can take this teaching. You could be one who is so caught up in your tradition that you reject this, or you could be one who takes God at His word and are willing to obey it implicitly. This is a simple instruction that the Lord has given to us, and when we obey, the Lord will most certainly make all things new. Just as Naaman got cleansed we too will be regenerated, and our lives will be transformed to be a blessing to many.
Rev. F. Andrew Dixon
www.goodnewsfriends.net
Transcribed by: Sis. Esther Collins
