“So he ( Namaan) went down and dipped seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. And he returned to the man of God, he and all his aides, and came and stood before him and he said, “Indeed, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel…” (2Kg 5:14, 15)
Please, read again the story of Namaan, the great Syrian general (2Kg 5). He had money, fame and visible success in life. But he also had leprosy. In those days, leprosy was incurable and shameful. Medically speaking leprosy affects the nerves. It manifests as muscular weakness, loss of sensitivity and tumors on the skin. The patient cannot move fast, cannot feel pain and looks ugly and smelly. Without treatment the sickness slowly progresses to death.
In the Bible, leprosy is a type of sin. A sinner or a backslider is spiritually slow. For example, he falls asleep during the preaching of the sermon or during prayer time. His conscience is not sensitive to sin. He hurts people and he does not feel pain. People admire him from distance but coming closer they sense an ugly ‘odor’ and they draw back. Singles have problems in getting married. These people are lonely most of the time because of the strange spiritual odor coming from them.
The only hope for healing and deliverance is found in Christ alone. Elisha told Namaan to go to River Jordan and to ‘go down’, to go deep in its ‘dirty’ waters seven times. River Jordan is a symbol of the Cross. Christ died in a ‘dirty’ manner that we might live a clean life and be healed! Because of pride, doubt and anger, Naaman almost missed his miracle. God used humble people to rebuke him in love. Once he believed and obeyed the words of the prophet, he was healed!
Dear brother, dear sister, why suffer in silence? Why prolong the pain? Come to Jesus! See the price Love paid for your freedom, for your cleansing, for your healing! Say with your Savior: ‘It is finished!’ Crucified with Christ, you go down together, baptized in His death, you shall rise together with Him in glory! May your testimony be established! May God enlarge your vision of Him! May your heart be filled with gratitude for the gift of salvation! Jesus Christ is the Lord!!!
Grace is able! Grace is willing! Be healed in Jesus’ name!!!
Green Pastures 