June 22, 2016

”Then his servants came near and spoke to him (Naaman) and said, “My father, had the prophet told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, ‘Wash, and be clean ‘?” So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child and he was clean. When he returned to the man of God with all his company, and came and stood before him, he said, “Behold now, I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel; so please take a present from your servant now.”… 2 Kings 5:13-15

“Yan Yan is a Japanese snack food made by Meiji Seika. It comes in a package with two compartments. One side has biscuit sticks (which can be sometimes called cracker sticks), the other side has chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, or yogurt flavored frosting used for dipping. The sticks themselves may also be flavored. Some Yan Yan products are sold in rectangular containers with 9 sticks and dip.” (Wikipedia)

I have never heard of a Yan Yan product until I saw one in my Dollar Spot location. I have heard of this kind of product – I believe Nutella has something similar that is sold in the grocery store. It is a great snack for people on the go. It has the biscuit sticks, it has the dip – a container that has everything that you need in one place. It is that simple.

Naaman the Syrian was in need of healing. He suffered from leprosy. He was a great soldier, but this infirmity was a hindrance to living the best life that he could. So he found that there was a prophet, named Elisha who could heal him, and he went to see the prophet. Elisha sent a messenger out to see him and to tell him that all he needed to do was to go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and he would be healed. He just needed to go to one place and take a dip, and he would be clean. It was that simple.

There are times we wish G-d would give us a challenge so that, when we find the answer we feel as if we have earned it. It is our human nature to want to earn things. This was Naaman’s issue. He felt his status and position deserved at least some amount of “commotion” in his healing. But Naaman was given a gift – he did not need to earn it – he would not need someone to wave their arms over him and make a big deal in healing him.

You and I have also been given a great gift. Jesus died on the cross so that you and I do not need to earn our salvation – we do not need to make a big deal about it, at least so that G-d sees us. But we do need to make a big deal about it so that others know what Jesus has done for us. Jesus has everything we need. It is that simple.

Pastor Dave