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What were you expecting?
March 13, 2023
2 Kings 5:1–15b | Psalm 42:1–7 | Luke 4:23–30
The lessons assigned for today have me thinking about expectations, and how we react when things don’t go exactly as we had hoped.
In the Hebrew scriptures we are introduced to a powerful general named Namaan from the pagan land of Aram. Despite his position, wealth, and political connections Namaan is afflicted with a disease of the skin which has made him ritually unclean. A young servant girl suggests that there is a prophet in Israel who could cure him. Armed with a letter from his own king and a chariot full of silver, gold and fine clothing, Namann sets out to visit this prophet who might cure him of his affliction. A moment of drama… how will the prophet cure his disease? Will Namaan be required to complete some epic task? Will there be great ritual ceremony, burnt offerings, a laying-on of hands?
Nope… the prophet Elisha doesn’t even come out of his house. He sends word that if the general will simply go down and wash himself seven times in the waters of the Jordan River his leprosy will be healed.
Namaan is angry. My mom would have called his reaction a “hissy-fit”. Please note that Elisha did not deny Namaan’s request for healing (which might have been expected since he was a pagan), he just did it in a way that did not meet Namaan’s expectations. “I could have stayed in Damascus and jumped in a river there… at least the guy could have come out of his house, recited some prayers and waved his hands around a little” Namaan whines.
Namaan is a proud man, but not so proud that he can’t be convinced by his servants to take Elisha up on his offer. I imagine a grizzled old soldier taking the general aside and saying “Sir – we know that if this guy had sent you out to battle a wild beast, or ordered you to cross the dessert alone, you would have done it in a heartbeat. This prophet is only asking you to wash in their river. It couldn’t hurt.” So Namaan relents, washes himself in the river and his skin is restored to that of a young boy. By the grace of God, Namaan is healed. He returns to Elisha with thanks (and maybe some humility) to acknowledges the power of the God of Israel.
I will admit that, like Namaan, I have great (and often very specific) expectations of God. Quite often those expectations are not met in any way that I have anticipated. My response may be disappointment or even anger; but on further reflection I recognize that God is always acting in the world and in me in ways that are completely unexpected and often surprising. My expectations may have been fulfilled in an entirely different form than what I expected. If there is any failure to be found, it is often in my lack of imagination and perspective and my unwillingness to listen and respond to God’s call.
As we set aside time for reflection this Lent, let’s engage our imaginations and our senses to recognize the Creator, the Sustainer and the Redeemer at work in the world around us. Take time for prayer. Maybe this is a good time to reassess our expectations of God and focus instead on the words of the prophet Micah, who asks: “What does God expect from us?”
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
Paul Brookes
