The other morning, I was reclining on the couch reading through some Old Testament stories while waiting for the delivery driver to arrive with our new refrigerator. I was already annoyed that we had to replace our 5-year-old refrigerator. I remember when appliances would last 15-20 years! Yes, I’m old. But when the repairman says the old one isn’t worth replacing, you tend to believe him.
As I read through 2 Kings 5, the story of Naaman, a Syrian Commander, I noticed something I hadn’t seen before. This was probably my fifth time reading the story through, but different characters seemed to come into focus, one after another. Then it hit me: this story is a beautiful picture of the Gospel and amazing grace.
I’m so thankful that when I was lost and broken, Jesus didn’t throw me away. No. He accepted me as I was, washed away my impurities, and made me new.
“The king of Aram had great admiration for Naaman, the commander of his army, because through him the Lord had given Aram great victories. But though Naaman was a mighty warrior, he suffered from leprosy.” (2 Kings 5:1, NLT)
Naaman was a great asset to Syria. He was a mighty warrior, respected by his king, and successful in battle. But he had something he couldn’t hide: the stain of leprosy. Beneath all his strength and success was a disease that would eventually take everything from him. His condition carried a death sentence. And yet, that death sentence became the very thing that led Naaman to God.
Eventually, we all come to the realization that each of us carry a similar stain—the stain of sin. It might look like a habit we can’t seem to break, shame we can’t move beyond, something holding our marriage back, depression that seems to have no end, or circumstances that affect every aspect of our lives. Whatever form it takes, sin leaves a stain on our souls, and like Naaman’s leprosy, it carries a death sentence.
There is another beautiful truth in this verse: God has been working through Naaman and giving him victories even though Naaman didn’t yet know who God was. God was at work long before Naaman recognized Him.
Then hope appears: “Now bands of raiders from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife. She said to her mistress, ‘If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.’” (2 Kings 5:2-3, NIV)
A young Israelite girl, taken captive and forced to serve Naaman’s household, tells his wife about the prophet Elisha. Naaman hears the news, appeals to his king, and travels to Israel carrying a letter and an enormous amount of wealth as payment for his healing.
Naaman arrives at Elisha’s home with his impressive entourage. Knock, knock. Nothing. Finally, Elisha sends out a servant with a simple message: Go wash seven times in the Jordan River, and you will be healed.
Naaman is furious. He wanted his healing to be an event worthy of his status—hand waving, magical words, a clap of thunder, and an impressive prayer. Instead, he is pointed toward a muddy river.
Naaman’s servants challenge him: “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, ‘Wash and be cleansed’!’ (2 Kings 5:13, NIV)
Naaman humbled himself, setting his pride aside: “So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. And his skin became as healthy as the skin of a young child, and he was healed!” (2 Kings 5:14, NLT)
Naaman was made new. As I dug deeper, I found three things we can learn from Naaman’s story.
First, seek humility. Naaman’s pride almost kept him from his miracle. Isn’t this true of us, too? It’s our pride that keeps us from seeking God’s grace and mercy. Sometimes we ask God for help, but when He offers it in a way we didn’t expect, we resist it.
The cross destroys our pride because it reminds us that our sentence was death and we are completely helpless to save ourselves. When we surrender our pride at the foot of the cross, we receive Jesus and His amazing grace.
Second, seek the Suffering Servant. The servants in this story are easy to overlook. First, there is the young Israelite girl who has been taken from her family and forced to serve Naaman’s household. She could have responded with anger and bitterness, but instead, she chose to point Naaman toward hope. Then there were Naaman’s servants who encouraged him to follow Elisha’s instructions when his pride told him not to.
These servants suffered involuntarily. Jesus, however, suffered voluntarily for each of us. He willingly went to the cross and died the horrible death that we deserved. The Suffering Servant became our salvation.
Third, act in obedience. Naaman was healed through a simple act of obedience. Elisha’s instructions may have seemed foolish, but Naaman had to lay down his pride and follow them. His obedience in the muddy Jordan gives us a beautiful picture of baptism—a picture of being washed, cleaned, and made new.
What is keeping you from laying down your pride, seeking the Suffering Servant, and obeying God—even in the little things? What is God asking you to surrender or obey today?