The 'Holy' River

~~~ 2 Kings 5:1-15AB ~~~ Psalm 42 ~~~ Luke 4:24-30 ~~~

But Naaman went away angry, saying,
“I thought that he would surely come out and stand there
to invoke the LORD his God,
and would move his hand over the spot,
and thus cure the leprosy.

Naaman was angry because God did not meet his expectations.
How often we have the very same mind set.
Why does God not act as we envision in our own small mind?

Sometime I think God just wants to pull us by the ears saying...
I've got this under control. Trust me.

Naaman wanted to witness his healing on his terms.
He wanted to be physically touched by God...
he wanted to feel something.

Elisha was confident in his ability to heal Naaman.
He gave precise directions as to washing in the Jordan River.

What was so special about the Jordan River?
The Jordan River is mentioned about 175 times just in the Old Testament.
The Jordan River flows into the Sea of Galilee,
where Jesus would call his first disciples.
The Jordan River is where John would Baptize Jesus.

This river was destined to be a vital part of our salvation story.

Why the Jordan River?

Earlier in 2 Kings 2:8-9
Elisha witnessed Elijah using his rolled up cloak to part the waters
 of the Jordan so that could safely cross to the other side. 

Elisha remained faithful to Elijah until his time of death.

When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, 
“Request whatever I might do for you, before I am taken from you.” 
Elisha answered, “May I receive a double portion of your spirit.”

Elisha has a connection with the river Jordan.
He has faith that the spirit he had received from Elijah's
 passing was active within himself.

He believed and thus told Naaman to bathe seven times in the river.
Seven, the number representing wholeness.

Being healed meant being restored to wholeness,,,
physically, mentally, and spitiually.

The River Jordan was the source of 'Holy Water'.

These waters did indeed heal Naaman that day
even though he had many doubts...
even though he questioned the prophet.

Come to Jesus in your doubts...
he will bless you anyway.
Why not?
He has nothing to lose by Blessing you.
~~~Peace~~~