INTO THE JORDAN
Noelle McDermott
Today's Scripture: "We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind." Isaiah 64:6, NLT
Theme: Because of sin, we are all equally hopeless without Jesus; invite others to meet Him.
THE INSURMOUNTABLE FIGHT
In 2 Kings 5, we are introduced to Naaman, commander of the Syrian king’s army, known to be a “mighty man of valor” and “in high favor.” Naaman seemed to be incredibly successful, but there was one battle he couldn’t win: his leprosy. It didn’t matter how many victories he won or how highly the king of Syria thought of him—nothing he could do changed the fact that he was a leper.
The servant girl of Naaman’s wife suggested he visit the prophet Elisha for healing, and desperate for healing, Naaman journeyed to Israel with a multitude of treasures prepared as payment. Yet Elisha refused Naaman’s silver and gold and simply told him to bathe in Jordan River seven times. Neither his prestige nor his treasures would save him—only the simple act of bathing in the Jordan would.
STUBBORN PRIDE
After wrestling with the seemingly incurable disease of leprosy, one would think that Naaman would be relieved at this easily obtained cure. All he needed to do was go into the Jordan River seven times, and he would be healed! But Naaman was angry. He questioned why Elisha didn’t speak to him in person and how the Jordan River was better than the rivers back home in Syria.
THE BATTLE IS WON
Part of our sin nature probably chafes against the fact that we cannot save ourselves. We cannot be our own saviors, yet we’ll try anything we can to absolve ourselves of our sin, such as doing enough good works, or striving for the “perfect life.” It is humbling to realize how little control we truly have. To understand that Jesus’ sacrifice has already bridged the divide between the Father and us should be such a relief. But it’s not. It’s a bit humiliating.
Naaman’s servants asked him, “Will you not do it?” Everything else had failed, so why not trust what he had been told and give it a shot? Naaman dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, “according to the word of the man of God,” and he was restored and made clean. He realized that only the Lord could have saved him, and in the same way, only Jesus guarantees salvation for our souls.
Make It Personal: Friend, we have all missed the mark and fallen short of the glory of God. We all have sinned, regardless of how "minor” or “okay” we think our sin is! Remembering the seriousness of our sin nature does not have to lead us into a place of perpetual shame. Rather, recognizing how we fall short of the holiness of God leads us to recognizing how good He is. His mercy and grace are the greatest gifts, and we should praise Him for it! Think of the ways you can share your experience with those around you who don’t know Jesus. Who could you share part of your story with?
Pray: God, sometimes I forget how much I need You. I believe that I can solve my problems on my own and often, that in certain situations, I can “handle it” without You. My pride distracts me from Your grace and blinds me to my sin nature. I’m sorry for forgetting that I need Your mercy each day. Remind me that I need to rely on You. Help me to glorify You and point others to You. Help me to direct them to the One who can heal and restore. Thank You that even in my sin, You have always remained faithful. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
Read: 2 Kings 5:1-19
Weekly Memory Verse: “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” John 14:6, ESV