"Expectations"
Sermon Presented February 12, 2006
2 Kings 5:1-14
The following story could have occurred in New Orleans or Gulfport during the last hurricane season or in any other area subject to seasonal flooding. There was a devastating flood along River X, and as the floodwaters rose, a man made his way to the roof of his house, praying fervently that God would rescue him. Four rowboats passed and offered him an avenue of escape, but he wouldn't get into the boats. Finally the waters swept over the rooftop and the man drowned. When he got to heaven, he asked why God didn't save him. God replied: "I sent four rowboats and you didn't get in." The man expected deliverance, but he was expecting something more spectacular than what was offered. Because he didn't accept what was provided, he died.
Our story this morning begins like that of the man on the rooftop. It's the story of Naaman, an Aramean military leader who is afflicted with a serious skin disease. The Bible calls the disease "leprosy", but it wasn't the leprosy that we know today as Hanson's Disease. In Bible times, there were many different skin diseases - all called leprosy, and there was no known cure for any of them. Naaman's disease may have been like the psoriasis that afflicted my dad. Dad had awful sores on his arms, legs and the trunk of his body, and the only things that helped were expensive medicines and sunlight. Naaman is desperate for healing, but not desperate enough to do what is suggested. Hear his story.
2 Kings 5:1-14 (Read text.)
Naaman is a powerful military commander, and ordering people around is what he does best. He's a great man - commander of the king's army, a mighty warrior and highly respected by the king. Not only is he respected by the king, he also has the respect of his servants, or they wouldn't have gone to bat for him like they did. But even though Naaman is powerful, he has no power over the disease that plagues him.
Recognizing Naaman's plight, a young Jewish slave girl who attends Naaman's wife tells her mistress that God's prophet who lives in Samaria could heal Naaman. This girl, who was taken from her family by Naaman in battle, has compassion on her captor and suggests a source of healing for him. Her loyalty to Naaman is most unusual, to say the least!
Naaman heeds her suggestion and approaches his king. The king assumes that the prophet works for the King of Israel, and he writes a referral letter for Naaman to him. Then with letter in hand and a caravan of valuable gifts, Naaman sets off. When he gives the king of Israel the letter, the king panics! He understands that the letter-writer expects that he will cure Naaman, and the king doesn't know where to turn. He fears that this is just an excuse to start a war.
When the prophet Elisha learns of the king's predicament, he sends word for Naaman to come to him. However, when Naaman arrives at Elisha's door, Elisha doesn't come out to greet him - definitely a lapse of etiquette - but sends a messenger to tell Naaman that if he washes in the River Jordan seven times, he will be healed.
Naaman expects to be cured! He's loaded with gifts to reward his healer. But washing in the nasty Jordan River is a repulsive thought. Let's make this easy! I won't get in this rowboat because surely God will send a helicopter or a fancy motor boat. How about washing in the clean rivers of Damascus? How about waving your arms and saying abracadabra?
How about an outright miracle instead of chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, loss of hair, or daily nausea? Let's do this my way, God, and not with the lifeline that is presented. Let's make this easy!
Naaman's angry! He's very angry! In fact, the text says that he's in a rage! And he abruptly turns and leaves. Just like that! Thanks, but no thanks! But lucky for him, his servants have the courage to try to change his mind.
Now just think about that! They're servants! Their job is to do what he says, not to try to influence his actions. And besides that, Naaman's out of control. He's ranting and raving. If you've ever tried to speak logic to someone like that, you do it with fear and trepidation - or more likely - you keep your mouth shut and stay out of the way.
But miracle of miracles, Naaman listens, swallows his pride and heads for the Jordan River where he bathes 7 times. And there, the miracle that he sought becomes reality. His skin is like new. He's healed!
Like Naaman and the man on the rooftop, we have our preconceived ideas of how God will act in a given set of circumstances. God, take away my appetite, give me that job, convince the bank to loan me the money, open up a parking spot, let him fall in love with me, bring me success! And like Naaman, we reject the words of the prophet, the medical professional, the friend or the spiritual guide who has insight into what we need to do. Words like: exercise 30 minutes a day; stop your bad habits; quite the stressful job; get at least 7 hours of sleep a night; eat less than 2000 calories a day; spend one day a week resting; pray and read the Bible daily; seek forgiveness and forgive others, or leave the unhealthy relationship, are words we don't want to hear. Do you see what I mean? Suggestions like this can come from God through human conduits, but until we carefully consider the suggestion and accept the message and follow it, we don't receive healing. Unless we entertain the notion that God might have instigated the idea, we may miss out. We must not only want to be healed but we must be willing to follow through with actions that will bring healing. We must chuck our expectations and get into the rowboat.
There's probably a little of Naaman in each of us. We want God's favor on our terms or in line with our reasoning. We want to be disciples but want to choose our own path - our own idea of what discipleship involves. We want healing, but we want it on our terms. However, we may be asked to give up our pet notions for the unfamiliar territory to which God calls us. We may need to do something differently in order to receive healing.
When we expect God to act only in certain ways or in certain places we can miss God's presence in the ordinary - in the simple rowboats that come our way. You see, it isn't just the leper, the one with AIDS or cancer or heart disease who needs healing, it's all of us! We need to be healed of our fear - fear of getting sick, of dying, of the unknown, of poverty, of dependency. We need to be healed of our judgmentalism that keeps us from crossing boundaries to minister healing to others. God calls us to reach past our fears and our natural discomfort toward compassionate action. Nowhere did Jesus put conditions on his outreach. Nowhere did he put boundaries on his love. He simply accepted and loved people and invited them into wholeness. And as Jesus' followers, we are called to receive God's healing and to offer it to others.
But what do we do when the physical healing that we pray for doesn't occur? We all have prayed for healing for others and then watched them die or live for years or decades with serious disabilities. I am convinced that when we pray for healing, some kind of healing occurs. It may not be what we want or what we believe is needed, but I believe that God comes to us and the one being prayed for, and works to bring healing, whether it is physical, spiritual or emotional healing. The healing we receive may be something we don't expect.
When my dad was stricken on a plane as he returned from California, the pilot made an emergency landing in Amarillo, TX. We prayed for healing, but the healing wasn't what we asked for. Dad was given 7 additional weeks to live, and during those 7 weeks, a medical jet brought him home to St. Joseph; his attitude toward his sister was healed and they told one another of their love for the other; and he saw all of his family members and friends and expressed his love for them, and they for him. Much healing took place in those 7 weeks, but it wasn't the physical healing we had prayed for. Dad died at home and not in ICU in Amarillo. God's deliverance came in a rowboat and Dad got on board.
This morning, I invite you to look for healing in both the simple and complex suggestions that are offered to you. Then I invite you to follow through with what you believe to be right - even though it might not make sense at the time. When you can trust the one offering healing and the potential benefits from following the advice, you have taken the first step toward healing. Let's widen our expectations so that we are willing to look for God's presence in the simple rowboat that is passing - and then - to get on board!
