“Elisha Heals Naaman” 2 Kings 5:1-15a

 One of the passions that emerged from a difficult season in my life is a passion to work with people who are grieving. I must confess that I don’t know what is going to come of it, but it is one of the things that drew me to volunteer with hospice. And one of the gifts that I offer to people - to sit with them in times of deep sorrow and to just be present. 

As a culture this may seem odd - especially when we try to minimize suffering and put limits around grieving. It strikes me as impractical to only give folks a few days off based on how close they were to a person who passed away - as if grief could be limited to those particular days. 

But then again, as a culture we struggle with suffering as well. As those who bear witness to suffering and those who go through times of deep suffering ourselves. We would rather not talk about it. We would rather try to sweep it under the rug. But the truth is suffering persists.

Case in point - today’s scripture passage. 

There was a man who was strong in both physical ability and power, named Naaman. Now we only know a few things about this particular individual. One, he was the commander of the army for the king of Aram (hence how we know that he is physically strong and powerful by virtue of his position). Two, we know that he wasn’t a Hebrew. He was from Syrian. Three, we know that he was struck with a leprosy 

Now we don’t really know what that means. It may mean what we now call Hansen’s disease - this long term skin infection that can attack the nerves and cause folks to no longer be able to feel pain. Leprosy - that disease that people feared coming in contact with because of how much it could alter a persons life. To the point where, even though the disease is not that contagious, folks were put into colonies on the outskirts of communities, away from everyone else. 

But this word may not mean that at all. In fact, some translations do not use the word Leprosy, but instead say skin disease, because in Biblical terms, “Leprosy” was used as a catch all for all skin aliments. 

Whatever this skin infection may be, it has caused Naaman to go from place to place seeking treatment, but to no avail. He is so desperate, that when a female slave tells him to go to see the prophet in Samaria, he is willing to listen. To set aside social class and listen to a prisoner, because maybe, just maybe, she was right and he would finally find the answer he was searching for. 

But with all of that seeking and searching had come expectations. He had an idea in his head how he would find healing. And when that wasn’t the case - well watch out. 

First, Naaman goes to his King, the king of Aram, and asks that he be sent to the King of Israel. Which he agreed to - sending him along with a letter. And Naaman set out with a lot of money. This is a point not to be missed, my friends. He literally thought he could buy his healing. Why he thought he could do so from the King of Israel through “his” prophet, is unclear, since he hasn’t been able to buy healing from anyone else up to this point. 

Which of course, confuses and terrifies the king of Israel. Who is he that this captain thinks he can buy healing from him? That’s not within his skill set. Surely, this was just the king of Aram trying to pick a fight. 

Then, when Elisha, the one that the young woman was trying to point Naaman to in the first place, intervenes and tells him to go wash in the Jordan seven times - something so simple to address this problem that had been plaguing him, he became angry and went away. Surely he didn’t come all this way, offering so much for this. Where’s the tincture? Where’s the miracle? Where’s what he came expecting?

Thankfully, one of his servants, both wise and courageous, called him out - asking that if he was told to do something more difficult by Elisha, wouldn’t he do it? All in hope to find healing?

Now maybe we haven’t traveled with the blessing of a king to find healing from a prophet, but can you identify in some other ways with Naaman here? Have you ever been so desperate to find healing that you were willing to do just about anything? Have you ever went from place to place, doctor to doctor in hopes that something, anything would releave just a bit of what you were going through?

Because the truth is - as much as we want to pretend that suffering doesn’t exist - it does. As much as we want to wish, hope, or ignore it away - that isn’t how life works. 

I think what Naaman was really getting upset about in the simplicity of what Elisha said is that it surely couldn’t have been the answer all along? It surely couldn’t have been as simple as turning in trust, could it?

We, too, can get frustrated when healing doesn’t come in our way or in our timing. Because we want control. 

Yet, all life and healing, friends, that lies beyond our control. It lies with God. 

And maybe that is why I have this passion to be with people who are grieving. Because I know that is beyond my control. And instead, all that I can do is show up. Not show up in my own strength or power, but show up and witness to the Spirit. The One who will never leave us or forsake us. 

And that work of showing up, that isn’t a quick one time thing. Just like the culture of the world tries to get us to hurry along with our grief and suffering, it can feel that way even amongst those who deeply care as well. Folks show up for the first week with offers of help and casserole dishes and condolences, but what after that? How are we showing up in the longterm?

And church, that is where we can shine. Being the ones who show up week after week, bearing witness and sitting with people. Responding to the promptings of the spirit to not forget, but continue to be with people in their grief, suffering, and pain. 

If only we are willing. 

Are we willing?

The Greek word for salvation, translates to me - complete, whole, in harmony. It’s a whole lot like the Hebrew word for peace, shalom, which has a more expansive meaning than what we can sometimes comprehend. Yet, that’s why we show up. To point folks, by our very presence to the one who can offer healing and hope beyond what they expect. The one who can bring complete wholeness and peace. But to do so, we actually need to show up. And so I ask you again, Church, are we willing to go to the places of deep hurt and need, not to fulfill the expectations of the world, but to simply be present to the One who sets us free? Amen.