The Scandal of Grace

In 2 Kings chapter 5, Elisha miraculously heals Naaman from leprosy and doesn’t take anything in “payment” for the healing. Naaman brought things with him to exchange for the healing (because he didn’t understand how God’s healing works) but Elisha took nothing from him. Elisha didn’t want to confuse Naaman with the idea that Naaman was able to pay for his healing. His healing came by God’s grace…then things turn for the worst. Unknown to Elisha, his servant, Gehazi, sends word to Naaman that he will take the gifts that Naaman came prepared to give. We read this: 20 But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “Look, my master has spared Naaman this Syrian, while not receiving from his hands what he brought; but as the Lord lives, I will run after him and take something from him.”  Gehazi gets the items from Naaman and returns home. Elisha confronts him about what he did. Gehazi denies it but is ultimately punished by having leprosy himself.

I wonder if Gehazi represents something that lies in each of us. He just can’t seem to accept that Naaman could be healed for “free”.   After all, Naaman wasn’t even an Israelite. He didn’t deserve the healing he received. Unfortunately, most of us have had these kinds of thoughts. That is the scandal of grace. God chose to heal Naaman because He chose to heal Naaman. God gave Naaman incredible grace. When God works in gracious ways in the lives of those we know, are we willing to accept that, or do we get jealous because God didn’t do that for us or someone we love? I hope you will accept the scandal of grace, allowing God to do what He wants to who He wants.

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