by Barry Pollard
(Based on Luke 10:1-11,16-20; 2 Kings 5:1-14; Gal 6:7-16)
What a blessing we have today that our three Bible readings have threads that overlap and interweave to provide us with plenty of food for thought, reminders to seek forgiveness and ultimately to change the way we are living our lives.
Now, my preferred genre when I read is historical fiction. That is, fictional tales woven around historical fact. So when I encounter Old Testament stories I tend to view them with the same enthusiasm, like the Kings reading this morning. Although we are going to learn things from it, it is a great little tale in its own right, don’t you think?
Naaman was the commander of the Syrian army. He was a ‘big wheel’! He occupied a very powerful position. You would expect, if you met him, that he was physically imposing and quick of mind and judgment. He would have been a leader in battle, providing the battle plans and heading the charge. We are told that he was admired by his king because he was a successful campaigner.
But Naaman suffered from leprosy, a disease which would normally be terminal, and one that would set the sufferer apart from others for fear of contagion.
The suggestion from Naaman’s wife’s servant girl, that he should visit “the prophet in Samaria” for a cure, was taken up and Naaman led an entourage bearing rich gifts to the King of Israel, for the cure. As the King of Israel dithered, Elisha, the prophet of God, stepped in and offered to cure Naaman. When Naaman arrived at Elisha’s house, Elisha sent a servant out to tell Naaman that to be cured he needed simply go and wash seven times in the River Jordan!
But instead of heeding the advice, Naaman became angry. Because of his position, his status, he had expected a personal appointment with Elisha, complete with dramatic gestures, ceremony, ritual and holy healing. He was most upset when a servant was sent to tell him to go wash in the Jordan! This was far from what he was expecting. It was too simple. He was having none of it. He stormed off.
The concluding verses of the reading, however, are where reason is brought to bear: But his officers tried to reason with him and said, “Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something very difficult, wouldn’t you have done it? So you should certainly obey him when he says simply, ‘Go and wash and be cured!‘” The result: “Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. And his skin became as healthy as the skin of a young child, and he was healed!”
You see, when Naaman obeyed the prophet Elisha’s simple instruction in humility, he was healed.
Now, if you are at church today [or reading this – Ed] you are here because God has a calling on your life. All of us are undergoing a transformation, from our old lives to being new creations in Christ. We are not all at the same stage but I am suggesting that the lesson Naaman learned is one we should all be mindful of. Are we missing God’s grand plan for us because we’re too proud to obey in small, ordinary ways? Does our pride get in the way? Think about it.
The New Testament reading from Galatians fits nicely with the thread developed in Kings: in the Galatians reading, the apostle Paul is advising his audience to be mindful of how they are being transformed. He says we shall each harvest what we sow. He says we should live to please the Spirit because we will receive eternal life from the Spirit. Living this way means, however, that our lives will be ones of service, not to self but to others. Doing what is good will bring us a harvest of blessing. He goes on: true spirituality is not found in religious show (like circumcision) but in being a new creation in Christ. And wasn’t Paul a wonderful example of God’s transformation. From persecutor to apostle! And his only boast was it was all down to the cross of Christ. This is the only thing, he says, that changes our focus from ourselves, and the world, to Jesus and others.
Then the Gospel of Luke describes one of the ways Jesus set about expanding his ministry. He selected a group of seventy-two from his disciples and prepared them to go out into a dangerous and unforgiving world. As we heard, this was not a walk in the park. His call to go out came with daunting conditions: they were to take no money with them, they were to take no extra clothes, they were to rely on those they encountered for sustenance. In fact, what Jesus was calling them to do was to depend on him..
Verse 17 tells us that this proved to be very successful. “When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to Him, ‘Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!’” But while their ministry had resulted in the casting out of demons and healing, Jesus reminded them that he had given them authority over “all power of the enemy”, and that their rejoicing over their successes as his workers should be replaced by rejoicing in the fact that they were Heaven-bound.
The challenge in this account is, what is the motivation for his workers? And don’t forget, we are his workers. Are we motivated by our results and reputation? Or do we serve for the glory of God?
I don’t know if you heard but this week the American televangelist Jimmy Swaggart died, aged 90. His early ministry was one of phenomenal growth and global impact, not to mention phenomenal wealth. At the height of its success his ministry was bringing in $140 million a year, through his television broadcasts and marketing of merchandise to millions of viewers in a hundred countries. But like so many enterprises that humans get involved in, the wheels fell off when he was caught out frequenting prostitutes. [Reference – Ed] What probably started out as the service of God and his kingdom ended up being self-serving and base. It degenerated to self-indulgence and money for money’s sake.
Remember in the Galatians reading, Paul said, “Let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone, especially to those in the family of faith.”
In these two verses I hear Paul saying, “Just hang in there. Just keep plugging away. And look out for your brothers and sisters, as they will look out for you.”
The preceding verses in the chapter deal with resolving conflict (within the church of Galatia). In them, Paul emphasises that there are different priorities and methodologies that can be applied. He points out there are responsibilities for those “who have been taught the Word”. There are expectations and a calling to live up to. There is a standard to keep. We have a responsibility to help one another.
If we reflect further on the Jimmy Swaggart story we could ask, where were those brothers and sisters that were supposed to be looking out for and helping him? Wouldn’t we expect them to be alongside, sharing his burdens, turning him from his temptations, helping him get over himself, refocussing his attention on God? That is living up to expectations. That is following God’s calling.
This thinking has an application to the Gospel characters. In addition to the reminder Jesus gave the chosen 72 disciples, that they were to look past their feelings of personal success, the other ordinary followers would have had a part to play in helping them maintain their God-focus. They would have been around those chosen, sharing that responsibility to keep them grounded and focussed, keeping their ‘self’ out of the equation of success.
And if you think about it we, ordinary followers, share a similar responsibility in our church. Just hanging in there in the small things. Just plugging away at the difficult or long term things. And looking out for our brothers and sisters as we know they will be looking out for us. Combining our talents to share the load. All for the glory of God!
So, where do we stand?
In our self-examination do we find we have pride in our perceived power or status? Do we have pride in our keeping of the faith? Do we hold ourselves above others? Do we boast in our human achievements? And if so, how do we change that?
I found a couple of useful ‘assists’ in my devotional readings this week, and I’ll share this one:
Researchers carried out a study asking subjects to perform a simple finger-tapping exercise. As subjects tapped, an MRI scan was done to identify what part of the brain was being activated. The subjects then practised the finger-tapping exercise daily for four weeks. At the end of the four-week period, the brain scan was repeated. In each instance, it revealed that the area of the brain involved in the task had expanded. That simple practised task of finger-tapping recruited new nerve cells and rewired neural connections.
The author went on to explain that when we read Scripture on a regular (and, dare I say, daily) basis, we are recruiting new nerve cells and rewiring neural connections. In computer-speak, we are downloading a new operating system that reconfigures the mind. We stop thinking human thoughts and start thinking God thoughts.
Why should we do this? Apostle Paul says: “Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.” (Colossians 3:16)
Through preaching, teaching, reading and singing, our brains are rewired with God’s word, and we develop the mind of Jesus. And that means we end up doing his will instead of being led by our own will. So keep ‘rewiring’ your mind with God’s word. Listen to or read Scripture often, and we’ll find God-thoughts come to mind more readily, pushing our me-thoughts out of the way.
Our readings have shown us that we are to be humble and obedient servants. We should be focussed on being Spirit-led in our service, transformed through God’s grace and power, showing the fruits of his love and justice, putting pride in self to the sword.
If you are like me, it is often an internal debate as to how we’ll act in any given situation. I’m talking about those times when whatever is going on is stirring you to some form of involvement. What should I say? What should I do?
Well, I found this further insight that might be useful. “Pride says, ‘Don’t just stand there; say something!’ Wisdom says, ‘Don’t just say something; stand there!’” How many times do we hear about folk who have suffered great loss being comforted by friends who just sit with them? No words needed, just their presence. And I see that as the bottom line in our takeaways from these readings today. We just have to be here – for God and each other, in the congregation, listening, affirming, serving.
I found this lovely concluding prayer that sums up how we might respond to the messages we have heard today:
Compassionate God, who strengthens us for the journey of faith, we offer ourselves in response to your call to sow seeds of love and justice. May our offerings build up the family of faith and extend your grace to the world beyond. Help us not to grow weary in doing good but to serve with joy and perseverance, trusting that the harvest of your Spirit will bear fruit in due season. Unite us as your new creation, made whole through Christ’s love and empowered by your Spirit. In gratitude, we dedicate to you all that we have, all that we are and all that we shall become. Amen.
stfrancischurchtairuanz 