A Long Story Leading to the Simple and the Absurd

"Naaman had it all, but his need was always before him."

I'm kind of glad that I'm a freelance speaker these days, because I've been able to work these words into every homily I've delivered over the last week. This story has captured me. And I happen to find myself in a culture where stories are essential to teaching any kind of lesson. Here's a "quick" run down of the story found in 2 Kings 5...

Naaman commanded the army of Aram. As a result, he was one of the King's chief officials. He also received a double portion of all the spoils that this army received in battle. They were doing well, so he was doing well. But here's the problem: Naaman had leprosy. Every morning, whether the battle yesterday was won or lost, he saw his need. The bandages reminded him of his need.

In the midst of the war with Israel, their neighbor to the south, Naaman had captured a young slave girl. Apparently Naaman was good to his slaves, because the girl offered this advice to Naaman's wife, "If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy."

Naaman received the information from his wife and immediately informed the King of Aram. The king responded by giving permission to go to the King of Israel, a letter in his own hand, and a substantial treasure to give in return to healing his adviser and friend. Naaman and his great caravan headed south.

After arriving and approaching the King of Israel, Naaman humbly and expectantly handed the King his friend's letter of request. You can imagine the King's surprise as he read, "With this letter I am sending my servant Naaman to you so that you may cure him of his leprosy." The king tore his robes, knowing he could not grant the request and thinking this opposing king was trying to start something.

Naaman left the throne room dejected, still aware of his need and feeling it even more deeply. As he traveled home, head hung low, a messenger stopped him and handed him a letter. The prophet Elisha had heard of his plight, his journey, and his faith and sent this reply, "Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed."

Okay, I know this story is getting long, but here's the twist. Naaman was furious. He thought this prophet would come, wave his hand over the leprosy, and speak some magical prayer. He expected this scene that would lead to his healing, but all he had was a letter telling him to go take a bath. The prophet must have foresaw this response, and that's why he sent a messenger and a letter. I firmly believe that Naaman would have killed Elisha if the prophet had said this in person. I love the sarcasm in Naaman's tirade, "Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than any of the waters of Israel? Couldn't I wash in them and be cleansed?"

Naaman's servant steps in and reasons, "...if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it?" Naaman cools down and realizes that his servant was right. He would have done something great, why would he not do something simple? Quick finish: he bathed as the prophet instructed, and he was healed.

God wants obedience, aye? Sometimes it doesn't make sense, but he wants us to trust him enough to obey Him. I think God loves both the simple and the absurd. (I am in Uganda right now.) And yet, the flesh rebels from both. There's no glory for us in the simple, so we argue our way into a religion that is difficult enough to make us the victim. The absurd just offends us, because it offers no certainty outside of our confidence in the character of God. I find myself more and more following God down this path of the simple and the absurd. What about you guys? How have you seen God calling into these worlds that grate on our flesh?