REV Norman Wallwork led the service at Crediton Methodist Church on Sunday, October 9 when his theme was “A New Relationship”.

Norman spoke of Naaman, a Syrian Army Commander who was suffering from leprosy.

One of his servants – a Hebrew slave girl – persuaded him to visit the prophet Elisha.

Naaman was annoyed that Elisha did not come out to him but just sent a message for him to wash in the River Jordan seven times.

He reluctantly did as he was told and was cured.

In Luke we read where Jesus cured 10 lepers but only one returned to thank him. He had a special relationship of gratitude – not only was he outwardly healed but inwardly his whole life was transformed. He ran to thank Jesus. Thanksgiving lies at the heart of our allowing Christ to transform our lives.

The healing of Naaman reveals three vital truths:

1 God’s healing grace required the crossing of faith boundaries.

One’s religion’s willingness to find help in the ministry of another religion. Naaman, a Syrian, was willing to lay his troubles at the door of a Hebrew prophet. Naaman’s healing came through inter-faith and inter-dependence.

2 God’s healing grace requires agents of God’s compassion.

Norman spoke of Fr Damien, a Catholic priest who in 1873 went to Molakai, an Hawaiian settlement, to live and work for 16 years with 600 lepers, eventually succumbing to the disease himself.

Dr Ida Scudder opened a hospital for women in India and founded a medical college which became the Leprosy Mission. In the 1950s Dr Paul Brand and his wife Margaret worked at the Leprosy Mission.

3 God’s healing grace requires believers’ faithful obedience.

To be cleansed Naaman had to receive the prophet’s word and obey.

In John Jesus says that we are made whole by the word He himself gives us.

Not only is Jesus the healer of outward disease, but He is the healer of inward disease - sin.

Repentance is to be under God’s and Christ’s permanent abiding presence. Inner healing for us all requires the surgery of the Spirit – God’s word, prayer, reading the scriptures and the Sacrament.

We must trust and obey.

Bronwyn Nott