"Servants Among Us" - II Kings 5:1-14 - February 12, 2006
(formerly: It’s a Two-Way Street)

I have always been a person who cheers for the underdog. Unfortunately, the underdog rarely wins. The only ones who come to mind are David and Goliath, the 1969 New York Mets and the US Ice Hockey team in the Winter Olympics of 1980 who won over Russia. Except for these exceptions it always seems like it is the more powerful, the more famous, and the more wealthy who always come out on top.

This is a story about a powerful man, Naaman. He was a great military leader, a mighty warrior who had favor with the king. He was a man of wealth and prominence, but he had a serious problem. He suffered from leprosy. Because of his stature he felt he deserved better and desperately wanted to be healed. But, in spite of his power and might he was helpless to find a cure.

This is also a story about the grace of God. God intervenes in ways beyond our understanding. And God frequently resembles the underdog who can overcome any opponent, even the leprosy of a mighty leader. Naaman discovers that there is a God more powerful than himself and a God who extends grace to someone outside the faith. How he discovers God will surprise you.

When Naaman received word that there might be a cure for his leprosy he asked his king to send a letter to the king of Israel in Samaria on his behalf. To compensate for his request he took silver and gold and expensive clothing. The king of Israel believed it was a trick and therefore tore his own clothes in an act of defiance. Meanwhile, Elisha, the prophet, heard about Naaman’s request and intervened. Naaman then went to Elisha’s house taking horses and chariots. Once again, Naaman attempted to use his power and resources to relieve himself of his affliction.

Naaman was growing impatient and he wanted a quick cure for his illness. Elisha told him to wash seven times in the Jordan River and he would be healed. But Naaman was in a hurry. He didn’t have time for silly games. He thought that Elisha could heal him with the wave of a hand. But, Elisha saw it differently.

Today, we are no different than Naaman, for we live in an impatient society. We are a fast food, drive through, channel flipping, buy-it-now, easy credit, one hour photo, express lane, instant lottery ticket, self serve, same day delivery, Road Runner, society. We want what we want and we want it now!

God, however has a different time schedule. Naaman’s illness was not going to be a quick fix. Elisha could not be bought. All the lobbying efforts in the world were not going to bring Naaman instant gratification. He may have been an important and powerful person, but Elisha was a man of God.

Naaman was promised restoration, but he would have to wait. And, he would also have to be humbled. Washing seven times in the Jordan River would have been very embarrassing for a man of his stature. But, Naaman had to overcome his pride and do what Elisha prescribed.

Young Ka Tong Gaw, son of a wealthy Filipino businessman, arrived at the Bible school in Manila to begin work. Soon after his arrival he noted that the bathroom and toilet in the boy’s dorm was dirty. He reported this to the principal who said, "I’ll take care of it." Young Gaw assumed he would send a servant to do the task. A few minutes later Gaw heard splashing and scrubbing sounds, then he subsequently saw the president emerge, wet with perspiration. "Your bath is clean," he said. "Sir, you didn’t!" Young Gaw replied. The president nodded. "We can’t afford to hire a janitor so we have to do things for ourselves." The seminary, educated Gaw said, "It was a lesson in humility."

Like the president of the Bible college, Naaman had to humble himself and wash in the muddy River Jordan. One thing for sure, Naaman couldn’t help himself. He needed help from God to overcome his infirmity. The good news is that Naaman was healed. He was healed not because of anything he did, but because of the grace of God.

The real heroes in this story are those who have no names. They were the servants. The first servant was the slave girl that Naaman had taken from Israel. She has been kidnapped and her role is to wait on Naaman’s wife. However, she is the one who tells Naaman there is hope for him. She tells him that the prophet in Israel could heal him. Ironically, Naaman listened to her and he followed through. This poor, displaced, powerless slave girl directed the powerful Naaman to someone who could help him.

There are others in the story also whose names we do not know. When Naaman arrived at the home of Elisha, it was Elisha’s messenger who greeted him and instructed him to wash in the Jordan River. Naaman was expecting Elisha but instead his instructions were given by a lowly messenger. How insulting. Naaman is angry and decided to return home. But then, another group of servants intervened. Naaman’s own servants encouraged him to obey the words of the prophet and do as he instructed. Naaman listened to the powerless pawns in his entourage and proceeded to the Jordan River. "So, he went down and immersed himself seen times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; his flesh was restored like the flesh of a young boy, and he was clean."

The most powerless people in this story are the ones who made the difference. Just because a person appears insignificant does not mean they don’t participate in the healing ways of God. God uses everyone, especially the lowliest of servants or "underdogs" to be instruments of God’s grace.

The story illustrates that those who we assume have no power, actually influence the most powerful people in society. We often take insignificant people in our lives for granted. God, however uses them as instruments of grace. Jesus said, "He that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled, and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted." (Matt 23:11-12)

Dr. Keith Wagner, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Sidney, Ohio