Based on 2 Kings 5:1-14, Galatians 6:7-16, and Luke 10:1-11; 16-20

Well, happy Fourth of July! I have to admit that even before worship service was over last Sunday, I was anticipating what the Common Lectionary would assign for the Scripture lessons today–I’d hoped for grandiose themes of majestic decisions made by men and women which would mirror those made by the founders of our country. What a wonderful way to celebrate the Fourth of July by worshiping in a sanctuary whose ancestors were the very backbone of this nation! It is no accident that I choose to quote the very well known Congregationalist Church member, Abigail Adams, for I have long admired her role as one of the founders of the United States who, all too often, goes unnoticed.

We might say such is also the case of the protagonist of our Old Testament story–not the King of Aram or Israel, or Naaman or his wife, at least she has a name: “Mrs. Naaman.” Our story this morning is driven by the servant girl of Mrs. Naaman. This servant has no name. And we are also led by the actions of Elisha’s servant–another servant whose name has been lost to the pages of time. But it is because of their actions, and their determination to serve the interests of their masters that we are here today to ponder anew the hesitancy of humans to move into the mire.

So here we are, Naaman arrives in all his glory, skin disease notwithstanding, he must have been a sight to behold! You think a parade on the Fourth of July is something–just imagine Naaman arriving in Samaria to undergo his great healing with all his horses and chariots, ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten sets of garments! I guess the price for curing leprosy in Aram was pretty high. But even with all the material goods set before him, the king of Israel knew his limitations, saying in effect: “Naaman, my man, I’d like to help you out and keep all the money you brought with you for my fee, but hey, I can’t cure you. In case you hadn’t noticed, I’m not God!”

Oh, no, what have we here? A politician telling the truth in the Scripture on the Fourth of July! This got Elisha’s attention, for as the successor of the prophet Elijah, this “Man of God” may have been just a bit amused by the king’s reaction.

“Don’t panic, King of Israel,” his message was. “Send Naaman to see me.”

So Naaman loaded up his entourage to visit Elisha’s house, but instead of being met with great pomp and circumstance, he was met by a messenger–the second nameless person–who told Naaman more or less to go jump in the river.

Well, Naaman was fit to be tied! How dare this holy man not meet him face to face, and then have the gall to tell him to wash in the Jordan river… which even in those times was known for being muddy. He has better things to do with his time than to try something new and different! Naaman wants Elisha to do what all the holy men back in Aram have done for him–way his hand over the spot, and cure the leprosy–he is not going to move into the mire of the River Jordan! No! He wants to just keep on doing what he’s been doing. Funny thing, though, that hasn’t been curing his leprosy, has it?

It’s up to nameless servant number three (did anybody else notice that little Trinitarian thing going on?) to convince Naaman to try something new. Naaman needs to move into the mire, out of his comfort zone, and so do many of us. When your prayer time has become stale, or your view of the world is jaded and cynical until you’re ready to throw up your hands and give up trying to be a disciple of Christ–move into the mire like Naaman and be uncomfortable for a little while. The results are worth it.

The scope and reach of God’s authority and healing action continues in the Gospel reading from Luke. Having previously sent “the twelve” out on an exploratory journey, Jesus has decided that seventy of his disciples are ready to go in advance of his movements. He gives them instructions which they follow, but upon their return their egos begin to slip into the muck and the mire of spiritual immaturity. They forgot to give God the credit for all they had been able to accomplish, saying to Jesus, “Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!” But before we become too superior in our attitudes toward the disciples and their excitement, let us quietly recall how we rejoiced or celebrated the last time we carried out a successful church event. Did we remember to congratulate God while we were congratulating ourselves? I cannot chide too strenuously, for I’m just as guilty. It is human nature to claim credit for all we do in our earthen vessels, and to want what we want, when we want it. Remember Naaman?

But what about God? If the story of Naaman taught us anything, it is that God is ever present. And the Gospel reading tells us that God’s power is immediate, and we, as disciples of Christ, are in the presence and the glory of the power each day of our lives. The Rev. Angela V. Askew of Holy Trinity Church in Brooklyn, New York, writes:

In the end, these readings are all about the amazing, even shocking capacity of our generous God to hand over holy stuff to human characters while remaining in the background. In the stories of Elijah and Elisha, we begin to understand that prophetic activity breaks through human boundaries, connecting the power of God’s presence to people beyond the land, and outside the covenant of Israel.

Beloved, we are like the nameless servants who drive the story of Naaman. Our job is to push others who need to be encouraged to move into the mire, so they may be immersed by the power of the Holy Spirit and God’s redeeming love. Beloved, we must continue to ask ourselves if we are willing to move into the mire of ministry which God requires. And as we pause on this day to be nourished at the table prepared by Christ Jesus, let us hear again the words of Paul written to the Galatians, for as we move into the mire of our world, we will not grow weary in doing what is right, and we will get there.

My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. For if those who are nothing think they are something, they deceive themselves. All must test their own work; then that work, rather than their neighbor’s work, will become a cause for pride. For all must carry their own loads.

Those who are taught the word must share in all good things with their teacher. Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh. But if you sow to the spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest-time, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.