Luke 4:24-30

2 Kings 5:1-15. Luke 4:24-30.

1. There was a debate show on Television; Too much familiarity can be a hindrance to family unity or not. Finally, the judgment was given saying Yes. The extended family that lives as neighbors fight very often and they separate themselves very often. That is called 'Familiarity Bias'. Sometimes the more familiar we are with someone the harder it is to actually see their goodness and the presence of God in their lives. (a) Familiarity will be a hindrance in our faith journey. People of Jesus’ hometown were so familiar with Jesus that they were not able to believe in Him. But,  two Gentiles – a widow of Zarephath and Naaman – who were distant became the examples of faith. In our lives as well, familiarity may distance us from God. 

2. Attitude of listening to Servants: Naaman’s attitude of listening to three servants could be appreciated and imitated. He listened to the servant girl of his wife, servant of his army, and servant of the Lord. Naman, an army commander, and soldier, listened to a girl, the Scripture says she is a foreigner, slave and little girl. Yet he listened to her. Prophet Elijah, discouraged and hopeless, was sent by the Lord not anywhere to the house of the poor widow, even though she did not have anything to eat, she was hospitable and gave him food and drink. What is our attitude toward listening to the familiar and small persons around us? sharpen your listening and learning. 

3. Spiritual Healing is greater than physical healing: Physical healing is good, but spiritual healing: Naaman starts his journey to Israel with a lot of gold and silver that he would ‘buy’ the healing. He didn’t know that healing was given free in Israel. The real treasure is self-realization. The miracle happens. His flesh becomes like that of a child. Naaman acknowledges that the God of Israel is the true God. Naaman’s physical healing turns out to be his spiritual healing. A person who was distant from the God of Israel becomes a believer.