God's Grace Can Make Anyone Clean: Lessons from Naaman's Story

What were your expectations when you walked into church this morning? Did you expect a warm welcome? Your favorite seat? Music that gives you goosebumps? What do you expect when you read God's Word or when you pray? And how do you react when your expectations aren't met?

Today, we'll examine a man whose pride and unmet expectations almost prevented him from receiving God's grace, and how another man's greed interfered with celebrating that same grace.

God's grace is His unmerited favor and undeserved mercy. We can't earn it—it's freely given. His grace is also His power to change us into what He has called us to be for His glory. We need God's grace; we can't live without it. Apart from God's grace, we can do nothing.

What Does the Bible Teach About Unmet Expectations?

Let's dive into 2 Kings 5:1-27, where we'll observe five movements highlighting God's grace through the story of Naaman and Elisha.

1. The Expectation to Tell Others About God's Grace (2 Kings 5:1-4)

Naaman was the commander of the Syrian army—a great man held in high honor by his king. The Lord had given victory to Syria through him. He was a mighty man of valor, but he was also a leper.

Leprosy was a devastating skin disease that caused the skin to deteriorate and flake away. In Israel, lepers had to cry out "Unclean, unclean!" and were cut off from community.

Here was a non-Israelite, an outsider to God's covenant community, suffering from leprosy and desperately needing a cure. This mirrors many people today who appear to have it all together but don't know Jesus. They suffer from the devastating effects of sin and need a Savior.

A little Israelite girl, captured during a Syrian raid and now serving Naaman's wife, spoke up: "If only my master would see the prophet in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy."

Consider this girl's situation—in a foreign land, serving people who invaded her homeland and possibly killed her loved ones. Yet this resilient, courageous child still shared God's grace with others. She became an instrument in God's hands, speaking boldly about a prophet of the God who is merciful, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.

God can use anyone for His glory—even children! As Christians, we should reflect on how we've been cured of our spiritual disease of sin and thank those who told us about God's grace in Christ.

2. The Expectation to Serve Others by God's Grace (2 Kings 5:5-8)

When the king of Syria heard about the prophet, he immediately said, "Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel." There was urgency in his command.

Naaman went, taking with him 750 pounds of silver, 150 pounds of gold (equivalent to 600 workers' annual wages), and ten sets of clothing. He was determined that nothing would block his chance of healing, expecting his payment to bring honor and respect.

When the king of Israel received the letter, he tore his clothes in distress: "Am I God, to kill and make alive, that this man sends word to me to cure a man of his leprosy?" His response revealed how far Israel's kings had fallen from knowing the true God.

Thankfully, Elisha heard about the king's response and sent word: "Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come to me, that he may know there is a prophet in Israel."

As Christians, serving others is part of our identity. Jesus said people will know we are His disciples by our love for one another.

3. The Expectation to Humble Ourselves Before God (2 Kings 5:9-14)

Naaman arrived at Elisha's house with his horses and chariots, likely expecting the prophet to come out and greet him personally. Instead, Elisha sent a messenger with simple instructions: "Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be clean."

Naaman was furious! "I thought he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy!" He expected a personal healing ceremony, not a command to bathe in the muddy Jordan River.

His pride and unmet expectations nearly prevented him from receiving God's grace. He was just one small step of obedience away from being cured.

How often do we act the same way? Our self-pity and pride muddy our vision so we can't experience God's grace. Our unmet expectations prevent us from receiving wise counsel or God's peace in our relationships.

Thankfully, Naaman's servants reasoned with him: "If the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, 'Wash and be clean'!"

Naaman humbled himself, dipped in the Jordan seven times, and "his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean." His leap of childlike faith changed his life forever.

Jesus said, "Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it" (Mark 10:15). We don't need to bring anything to receive God's grace—we simply cling to the cross.

4. The Expectation to Be in Awe of God's Grace (2 Kings 5:15-19)

After his healing, Naaman returned to Elisha and declared, "Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel." His heart was changed by God's grace, and he confessed allegiance to the one true God.

Naaman offered Elisha a gift, but the prophet refused payment—all glory belonged to God. Naaman then asked for two loads of Israeli soil to take home so he could build an altar to worship the Lord. He was concerned about having to accompany his master into the temple of Rimmon (a Syrian god) and asked for pardon in this matter.

Elisha simply told him, "Go in peace." He didn't quench Naaman's newfound faith but encouraged him to experience God's grace.

5. The Expectation to Celebrate God's Grace (2 Kings 5:19-27)

The story takes a tragic turn when Elisha's servant Gehazi decides to pursue Naaman. Instead of celebrating God's grace, Gehazi saw an opportunity for personal gain. He lied to Naaman, claiming Elisha had sent him to request silver and clothing for two young prophets.

Naaman, with his newly humbled heart, gladly gave double what was requested. But when Gehazi returned, Elisha confronted him: "Was this the time to take money or accept clothes? Therefore, the leprosy of Naaman will cling to you and your descendants forever."

Gehazi's greed led him to receive the very disease from which Naaman had been freed. When we lose sight of God's grace, we begin to think only about ourselves, asking, "What about me? When do I get my blessing?"

Application

Are unmet expectations preventing you from receiving God's grace? Jesus invites you to come to Him, lay aside your expectations, and believe that He is all you need.

In Matthew 8, a leper approached Jesus saying, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." Jesus touched him and said, "I am willing. Be clean!" Immediately, the man was cleansed of his leprosy.

God's grace can make anyone clean—including you.

Ask yourself:

• What expectations am I holding onto that might be blocking God's work in my life?
• Where has pride prevented me from receiving God's grace or wise counsel?
• How can I better celebrate God's grace in others' lives instead of focusing on what I think I deserve?
• Who needs to hear about God's grace through me this week?

Remember, we can't earn God's grace, but we can position ourselves to receive it through humility and childlike faith. This week, look for opportunities to tell others about God's grace, serve others by His grace, humble yourself before Him, stand in awe of His grace, and celebrate when others experience it too.