“When this letter reaches you, know that I have sent to you Naaman my servant, that you may cure him of his leprosy.” – 2 Kings 5:6
Things didn’t go so well when Naaman met with Israel’s king: “When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, “Am I God… that this man sends word to me to cure a man of his leprosy?” (5:7).
Elisha heard what was happening, and he sent a message to the king: “Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come now to me, that he may know that there is a prophet in Israel” (5:8).
“So Naaman came… and stood at the door of Elisha’s house. And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, ‘Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean’” (5:9-10).
This was not what Naaman expected: “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call upon the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand” (5:11).
Elisha wanted Naaman to have faith in God. He didn’t want Naaman to think the power lies in him. But Naaman was angry because…
Elisha had hurt his pride. “I thought he would surely come out to me” (5:11). The gospel humbles us. Before God, you are a sinner, and your position is no better than any other sinner.
Elisha only offered one way to be cleansed. There were other rivers in Damascus: “Could I not wash in them and be clean?” (5:12). The gospel tells us that there is only one way to be cleansed. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7).
He didn’t want to do what Elisha said. “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times” (2 Kings 5:10). The gospel calls us to do something we don’t want to do. Go wash. Repent. The proud and sinful heart rejects this command.
Naaman was angry, so “he turned and went away in a rage” (5:12).
Is pride keeping you from God’s cleansing and forgiveness today?
