Friday 16 September 2022

Psalm 53

Background

The story of the healing of Naaman is one of those we engage with at a young age. Here is an entertaining drama, with a rich cast of characters and a well-developed plot, which makes it ready for a junior church lesson. It is not only a story for children though.Here are keen insights into human nature as we encounter a war hero’s ego, casual racism and the greed and deceitfulness of the servant. And there is even a happy ending as Naaman is made clean! It is, surely, a further demonstration of how God acts, in an inclusive manner, meeting human needs. Naaman was not one of God’s chosen race, he was not an Israelite but a Syrian, a Gentile.

Naaman’s pathway to healing was not straightforward. He was amenable to following the suggestion of his slave and desperate enough to travel from Damascus to find the prophet in Samaria. He was, though, less amenable to the suggestions for how his healing would be enabled. Elisha’s instructions sounded ridiculous to Naaman and his pride was wounded! Only when he submitted to the directions of the prophet was he healed. He was asked to take undertake a simple act and was affronted – he wanted something dramatic and flamboyant. Furthermore, the prophet did not even see Naaman but sent a messenger out to the gate. Salvation came to Naaman through the words of the prophet conveyed by a messenger. Sometimes this is the way in which God works – not through a dramatic or flamboyant act, but through a simple act of obedience. Salvation comes mysteriously when we begin to follow God’s script rather than our own.

Naaman’s healing led to his coming to faith. God acted to restore Naaman even though he was a Gentile, was not a member of the chosen race and did not yet believe. Even after his healing, Naaman’s response was halting and inadequate, his understanding of God not yet clear. The powerful message of the story of Naaman is that God’s mighty acts do not depend for their efficacy upon us, our faith and our action. God acts, out of grace, simply because it is God’s nature to do so. Sometimes we, in the Church, want to make living the life of faith so complicated that it becomes unattractive to those who do not yet belong and that frustrates the grace of God. It really doesn’t have to be complicated – let’s keep it simple and let people come into the place of restoration with grace and in peace.

To Ponder:

• How does the Church ensure that the ways of faith are not so complicated that they make it difficult for people to engage with Christ?
• What experience do you have of God’s healing – did it lead to a strengthening of faith?
• What words or phrases in Naaman’s story stand out for you?