Grace for Help in Time of Need

February 2, 1997

2 Kings 5:1-14; Mark 1:40-45

Before the royal caravan ever got near the capital city the palace was on 'red alert.' Any visit from the north and east was a cause for alarm, and it was clear that this visit was very important. Fearing the worst, but hoping for the best, King Jehoram of Israel had the red carpet run out. The important visitor was greeted. He was Naaman, King Ben-Hadad of Syria's greatest general. What could he possibly want?

And then after some small talk, out it came. Naaman had a letter from the king of Syria to the king of Israel. The letter said, "My great general, Naaman has leprosy. I have sent him to you so you can heal him. Thank you very much. (signed) Ben Hadad."

King Jehoram nearly fainted dead away on the spot. He said, "Could you excuse me for just a minute? I'll be right back." And then he left the meeting hall and went to his quarters where he shouted to his servants, "Who does King Ben-Hadad think I am? God? This is just an excuse to start a war!" And according to the custom of his people, he began to tear his clothing as a sign of anguish.

Just about that time a little man was ushered into the king's presence. His name was Gehazi, and he had a note from his master, the great prophet Elisha. The note read "Don't tear up your royal wardrobe, King. Send the leper over to me." The note was signed "Elisha the Tishbite."

Just then the king didn't have a better idea, so he went back into the meeting room and acted like he had just been out making arrangements in a businesslike way. He said, "Go and visit the prophet over on Cottage Lane. His name is Elisha. Elisha is our leprosy specialist. Elisha is your man. Thank you very much. Goodbye."

So the royal caravan left the royal palace and headed down the main street and down side streets and out to the edge of town. There were plenty of people to tell the camel drivers the way, and with a dramatic entrance the glitter of scarlet and gold and bellowing camels and guard uniforms came to a stop in front of the house of the prophet Elisha.

This is one of the funny scenes in the Bible. The prophet was at home, but somehow he didn't bother to come to the door. Where the king had fallen all over himself to fawn on his threatening guests, Elisha just sent down his servant, Gehazi, with what really was a remarkable promise of grace. Gehazi had to tell one of the most powerful men he would ever meet, "My boss said for you to go and dip seven times in the Jordan River and you would not have leprosy any more."

Naaman's pride almost kept him from the miracle. He was used to having his ego massaged. He expected a different kind of treatment. He was a VIP. But what he got was the thing he needed most. He couldn't pay for his healing. He couldn't do some heroic thing to deserve it. All he could do was trust the prophet's promise, and do as he was told.

The leper in the Gospel story was at the other end of the social register. He didn't have a note from a king. All he had was leprosy. But he knew where to go. He knew what to say. He knew how to say it. On his knees before the Son of God he cried for help. "If you choose, you can make me clean!"

Mark, the Gospel writer, says Jesus was moved with compassion. He stretched out his hand and touched the leper. Everyone had been taught not to touch lepers. It may have been years since anyone had deliberately put a kind hand on this man's shoulder. But on purpose, with love, Jesus reached out and touched the man who asked his help.
"I do choose," Jesus said. "Be made clean!"

Two stories:

The Table of the Lord is a Table of Grace. It is a reminder that no one is rich enough or important enough to pay his own way, but at the same time, no one is so poor and so lowly that God does not love them and welcome them to His side.

[Senator Bill Bradley, 6'8" tall, came through a cafeteria line at the Capitol. He asked for a second pat of butter from the 5'5" waiter. He was refused: policy. "Do you know who I am?" asked the senator. He is impressive— former Knick pro basketball player, former Rhodes scholar. "I am United States Senator Bill Bradley!" "Do you know who I am?" asked the waiter, drawing himself up to his full 5' 5" height. " I AM THE MAN WITH THE BUTTER!" ]

Grace is how we come to be saved. It is a humbling thing to have someone die in your place. God is not impressed with your importance, nor is He about to reject you because of your past sin. Grace is how we come to be saved.

Grace is the way we continue to walk with God in the good times and the hard times of life. Every last one of us lives in need to God's grace. You may have it all together just now— but you still need God's grace more than you know. Some here this morning are on living quietly on the edge of desperation. Grace is the way we continue to walk with God!

For us all these stories remind us that God hears us when we cry for help!

God is moved with compassion— he cares when we hurt.

The Naaman story may be shrouded with centuries of history and mystery, but still the fact remains that God healed a pagan general when he asked for help, and when he was willing to follow God's Word.

Jesus looked with compassion at the leper when he begged for help. I believe that Jesus cares about YOU!

His promise is simple - we COME because He invites us

His keeping grace is the same— "He that spared not his own Son but delivered Him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?"

As we come to the table this morning bring your burdens, your cares, your needs, your flaws— and ask Jesus to make you whole. The miracle begins when we ask! The best, the strongest, the most needy— all may come and find God's grace.

Directly to Communion unless otherwise led here:

The Communion

Scripture (I Corinthians 11:23-30)

For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body that is broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood.

Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

Whoever, therefore, east the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be answerable for the body and blood of the Lord. Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For all who eat and drink without discerning the body, eat and drink judgment against themselves. For this reason many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. [NRSV]

Apostles' Creed (#8)

Invitation to the Table of the Lord

Jesus Himself is the Host.

Examine your heart. If He bids you come, you are welcome.

Prayer of Confession/Forgiveness

O Father, The "holiest" among us needs every moment the grace of God; we are not holy in and of ourselves. We come short of the perfect will of God in performance, and all too often, we lag in spirit, are insensitive in our relationships, and act more to our own self interest than for the kingdom of God and the salvation of others.

For this we ask your forgiveness— the purchase of your blood on Calvary.

We claim your promise: (I John 1:7,9) If we confess our sin, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sin, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Prayer of Dedication

We ask that we may have your ASSURANCE that we have been CHOSEN of you to be your sons and daughters.

We ask that you will give us our ASSIGNMENT, not just our "big" assignment for life's career, but our day-by-day assignment of introducing You to those we know.

We ask that You will help us ACCEPT Your revealed will, and put you at the center of our lives, in all we do.

We ask that as You have told us that You are the Bread of Heaven, that by faith may we partake of your body and blood to our soul's life and health.
Lord's Prayer (Our Father which art in heaven . . )

(Instructions. This morning you will be served in the pews. Pass the tray and then receive the bread and cup from the person to whom you gave the tray. Please hold the bread and the cup and we will all partake together.)

At the moment of partaking:

The BODY of the Lord Jesus Christ: (may it) Preserve you blameless to life everlasting.
Again, with the cup:

The BLOOD of the Lord Jesus Christ: Preserve you blameless to life everlasting.

#430 Singing I Go

Benediction