Naaman has a simple request.  He is a commander of the army of the king of Aram, a region in Syria.  It is because of Naaman that God has given victory to the Arameans. Naaman is a mighty warrior.  God loves Naaman.  The king loves Naaman.  Everybody loves Naaman.

Naaman, in one of his battles, contracts leprosy.   There is no cure.  This mighty warrior who is loved by all—has to leave his wife, companions, army, and live alone in some wild corner of the hills. He is banished as an outcast.  His career, his family—everything he built up- done!

He learns from an Israelite slave girl that there is someone who can heal him—a prophet in Samaria.  This is great news for Naaman.   He may not have to be banished after all.  He can continue to be a great man.  He can still serve in the Army.  He can continue to defeat the Israelites.  He can stay with his wife and family.

Naaman shares with the king the great news.  His king sends a letter to the King of Israel, as well as a considerable fortune as payment.  The letter says, “When this letter reaches you, know that I have sent to you my servant Naaman, that you may cure him of his leprosy.” The king of Aram assumes that it is the king of Israel who will help his commander.  All of this puts the King of Israel in a very difficult position.  The King of Israel knows he cannot take the place of God.  He can’t do it—that’s God’s domain!  He sends him away.

Enter the prophet Elisha!  Elisha wants to help this man.

Naaman, who still has his fortune, goes to the house of Elisha.  He arrives at the door with several horses and chariots.  Naaman, at this time, must be quite frustrated, as he has traveled a great distance, with a great fortune.  His life depends on this quest.  His quest has brought him to the house of a prophet.  All his hopes are in the hands of a crazy prophet!

He never meets Elisha—Elisha sends a messenger to tell him to go and wash in the Jordan River seven times!  If he washes in that muddy, murky river—he will be made clean!  Naaman is beyond annoyed.  All that distance, all his hopes—for that lousy advice.  He thought the prophet was going to do some magic healing.  He was indignant that he had to wash in the Jordan.  There are cleaner rivers.  He turns away in rage—this is the dumbest advice he has ever heard.

Then one of his advisors says, “Hey, if the prophet told you to do something hard—you would have done it.  Why not do the easy thing here?”  What could it hurt?  Naaman does it!  His flesh was restored!

Naaman accepted the God of the Israelites.  Naaman worshipped God! He no longer persecuted the Israelites.  Naaman needed to believe.  Bathing in the Jordan confirmed his belief.

In our lives we are told to do many things.  Often these things make no sense at all.  We are told by people every day to “go and wash in the Jordan.”

…when we start a career, we’re told to start saving for our retirement

…when we are young we are told to do our homework

…practice our instrument every day

…stretch before we exercise

…reduce, reuse, recycle.

…read the bible and go to worship

…love our neighbor

Every day we’re asked to wash in the Jordan

Every day we’re asked to make small but purposeful faith decisions.

Have faith that those small choices will become the best decision you ever made.