Naaman

Naaman, Captain of the Syrian army, was a very great and brave man. But he had leprosy. There was no medicine for it in those days. He would get worse and worse until he died. (Pause 3 sec. or put in wailing) There was great sadness in his home.

A little girl had been made a captive from Israel during a war. She was brought to Syria and served Naaman's wife. She was a believer in the one true God. One day she said to her mistress, "The true God can heal my master." When Naaman heard this he decided to go to Israel. Soon they were ready for the journey. The horses carried gifts of clothing, silver, and six thousand pieces of gold.

They arrived in Israel and gave a letter from the King of Syria to the King of Israel. He was frightened. He said, "Am I God to heal and make alive?" He thought, "They are making this a cause for war."

Elisha, God's prophet, heard of this and he said, "Send him to me." So Naaman with his horses and chariot came to Elisha's house. Elisha did not go out to meet this proud captain, but just sent his servant out to say , "Go, wash in the River Jordan seven times and you will be healed."

Naaman said proudly, "Why should I go and wash in that dirty river? We have greater rivers in our land." He went galloping away very angry. But his servant spoke softly to him. "Master, if you had been asked to do a hard thing, would you not have done it? The prophet only said, "Wash and be cleansed", and you say `No'".

So they turned back. Naaman washed in the river seven times. Then he looked and he saw that his skin was as well as a child's. He said, "Now I know that the God of Israel is the true God." He was so grateful that he went back to the prophet and offered rich gifts, but Elisha would take nothing. Then Naaman said, "From now on, I will worship no one but the Lord God only." Elisha said, "Go in peace". God's word tells us how our Saviour, Jesus Christ, died to save sinners. Washing in water will not heal our diseased souls or forgive our sins. But the blood of Jesus Christ can cleanse us from all sin. If we are stubborn and proud, God can do nothing for us. But if we obey His words He will heal our souls. God's Word tells us to repent and turn away from our sins and believe in Jesus. He will wash your heart and make it clean, and He will give you eternal life. There is only one name given us for salvation. That name is Jesus Christ.