Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Jesus the Healer
2 Kings 5: 1 – 14

“As soon as the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his robes and said, “Am I God? Can I kill and bring back to life? Why does this fellow send someone to me to be cured of his leprosy? See how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me!”

The most obvious study that we could have shared on in this particular topic is to review why Naaman, a person God had favored, would be struck by leprosy and sent to Prophet Elisha. We could have looked at how Naaman felt insulted the Prophet would not come out and heal him and how he listens to his servants and dips in the River Jordan seven times to be healed.  Simply put, this is for us to understand that God continues to show us throughout the Bible of how individuals God has chosen need to overcome dramatic encounters with the power of God for them to value his omnipotent presence.
However, having studied this passage, let us review the emotion displayed by the King of Israel. What an immediate knee jerk reaction by the King of Israel to deem that the King of Aram had sent Naaman, his faithful Army Commander and sufferer of leprosy, to bring about enmity between the two nations. How was the King of Israel to cure this poor man’s plight? For the King of Israel to tear up his garments, meant that he was showcasing a physical expression of grief or great sorrow. It became heavy on his heart that the King of Aram would expect him to heal his commander. At times, we are like this – are we not?
Introspectively, how many occasions have we experienced in our own lives this great Herculean endeavor, favor or task come before us as a burden but then results in unbelievable triumph, joy and happiness. How many times do we forget that we have God on our side? In this specific case, the King of Israel had God’s appointed messenger – the Prophet Elisha who would end up relieving the King of this great burden. Let us all not forget that we need to go through a burden without having God on our side!
Prayer: Lord, enable me not to forget that you are carrying the weight of my earthly burdens. Amen
Thought for The Day: How will you take on your next Herculean task?

Jason John, St. Mathews MTC, Toronto



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