ARTIST NOTES
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Week 17 6/19/2016
Title of drawing: "A Leper Healed" (2 Kings 5) Artist thoughts: Naaman, an army commander and brave warrior, was highly regarded by those who knew him or knew of him. As we see in 2 Kings 5, he didn't want God's way unless it was his way, but he needed a miracle. He had leprosy. Because of his status he followed a chain of command expecting to get a miracle by way of a king's command. That didn't work. When directed to visit the prophet Elisha he expected the prophet to greet him with honor and magically wave his hand over his leprosy and be healed. Nope. Elisha wouldn't meet him face to face but relayed instructions for healing through a servant. Naaman balked at the instructions to wash in the Jordan river thinking his rivers back home were greater than the Jordan. Can't we all act like this sometimes? Our way always seems to make the best sense and our status determines what we deserve. But living with a prideful sense of entitlement is the quickest way to invite interpersonal conflict and hostility into our lives. Dissatisfaction and a false self-image emerge. When Naaman decided to follow Elisha's instructions he was healed. Naaman went from proud and easily offended to converted, grateful, and humble. So can we when we trust in God's ways and not our own. Stripped of his status, this drawing depicts Naaman choosing God's way and not his own. I'm reminded of verses like: There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. (Proverbs 14:12, HCSB) “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not My ways." This is the Lord's declaration. (Isaiah 55:8, HCSB) Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6, HCSB) Time lapse video UNAVAILABLE Listen to the sermon HERE. |
