2 Kings 5:1-15a Elisha heals Naaman, a foreigner and leper
We like the big names. The big names are easy to track, and it keeps our focus tight. We can track Moses, David, Solomon, Elijah, Elisha, Jesus, some of the 12 disciples, Mary, and a small handful of other names. And often, those are the stories we tell, remember, write books about, and highlight. Some parts of the faith community get mad when we move away from the big names and even talk about some of the other players.
But all of the stories aren’t about the big names. This story is moved by the no names. The big names don’t want to be part of the story. It is a slave who says there is a prophet who can heal. It is a leper who is needing to be healed. The king of Israel (unnamed) doesn’t want anything to do with the situation, even admitting that he has no real power. Elisha doesn’t even come out of the tent. A slave reminds the general of what a small thing he is being asked to do. This story of miracle isn’t moved by big names. It is moved by people who go unnamed. How often is the story of God moved not from on high?
