Wash And Be Clean 2 Kings 5 1 15a
Series: Epiphany Old Testament Sermons
January 26, 2025
Rev. Nathan J. Rusert
The 3rd Sunday After The Epiphany 26-January-2025 Sermon Text: 2 Kings 5:1-15a Sermon Theme: “Wash and Be Clean!” I. Humble Greatness.(vs.1-3) II. Hope’s Treasure.(vs.4-8) III. Scandalized By Simplicity. (Vs.9-12) IV. Word and Water Renewal.(vs.13-15a) by Rev. Nathan J. Rusert
Episode Notes
The 3rd Sunday After The Epiphany 26-January-2025
Sermon Text: 2 Kings 5:1-15a
Sermon Theme: “Wash and Be Clean!” I. Humble Greatness.(vs.1-3) II. Hope’s Treasure.(vs.4-8) III. Scandalized By Simplicity. (Vs.9-12) IV. Word and Water Renewal.(vs.13-15a) by Rev. Nathan J. Rusert
I.N.R.I. The Preacher drew His sermon to a close in His hometown house of worship. Luk 4:24 Then He said, "Assuredly, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own country. The leaders of His church asked Him to preach that day, but their blood boils as He finishes His sermon, Luk 4:27 And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian." They know the Preacher’s family, they had watched Him grow up in their town. Furious with His first hometown sermon they seethe with rage and riot against Him. They plan to murder Him - throw Him off a cliff. He walks through the crowd and leaves - it is not His time and this is not the place for Him to die.
Preaching is dangerous. Preach the Truth of God’s Holy Word and the cross comes. Water down God’s Holy Word to please the people God’s wrath rises and eternal punishment in hell await. There is no grey spaces, no being lukewarm, when handling the living active Word of God. Today the Church remembers St. Titus, preacher and confessor. The Holy Spirit instructs pastor Titus through the pen of St. Paul of the qualifications to be a preacher in Christ’s Church: Tit 1:6-9 if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. (7) For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, (8) but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, (9) holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict. The ordination of women to the pastoral office is rejection of the Holy Spirit and rebellion against the clear Word of God. Titus preached Christ Jesus’ sound doctrine. Like Paul, he determined to know nothing among his congregation except Christ crucified. Titus’ reward - tradition records that he was martyred around 96AD.
The hometown Preacher we began with was also martyred in Jerusalem around 30AD. He preached, Luk 9:23-26 .... "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. (24) For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. (25) For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? (26) For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father's, and of the holy angels.” The Preacher’s Name is above every Name - the only saving Name - Jesus of Nazareth - The Christ! He continues to manifest His glory as the God/Man through His Word and Work in our world. Hear Him today through one of His Old Testament preachers: “Wash and Be Clean!” I. Humble Greatness.(vs.1-3) II. Hope’s Treasure.(vs.4-8) III. Scandalized By Simplicity. (Vs.9-12) IV. Word and Water Renewal.(vs.13-15a)
I. “Repay no one evil for evil.”Rom 12:19-21 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord. (20) Therefore "IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM; IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP COALS OF FIRE ON HIS HEAD." (21) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
St. Paul, whose conversion the Church celebrated yesterday, preaches these words to us. We might think they are easy words, but they are not - they grate against our idolatry of self. When someone wrongs us our blood boils and we plan to get even.
Learn - humble greatness! Listen (vs.1). Naaman had power, influence, riches, and intelligence. He was a great strategist. He was honored by the king of Syria. All his greatness ground to nothing by his incurable skin disease - he was a leper. It would be like a billionaire respected by the president, diagnosed with stage four malignant melanoma. All his greatness cannot reverse his incurable cancer. He is a great man humbled by a disease he can’t control.
Behold a greater little girl. (Vs.2) Imagine raiders bursting into your home, slaughtering your parents, tying you up, and taking you far away from home to be a slave for their wives. Wouldn’t you seethe with hatred? Israeli hostages released from Hamas rejoice in Gaza’s destruction. This young slave girl has compassion on the woman she is forced to serve and on her husband Naaman. She speaks hope (vs.3) Humbly she is great. In essence she invites Naaman to church. She confesses the Lord God of Israel as the One who heals through His preaching prophets.
Humble yourself under Christ’s cross to be great. Overcome evil with good. Joyfully serve even your enemies in your daily calling. Humbly invite them to come with you to church. Healing is here in God’s Word and Works - every Sunday!
II. The Preacher had just finished His sermon on the mount. Mat 6:19-21 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; (20) but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. (21) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Jesus had preached to us in the middle of His sermon. Walking off the mountain a hopeless man meets the Preacher. A man full of leprosy prays, “Lord, if You will, You can make me clean.”
What treasures do you bring to Church? (Vs.4-6) The seed of hope is planted in Naaman’s heart. He goes to his king and is given permission and a letter to the king of Israel for healing. Ten changes of expensive festival robes. Silver and gold worth millions in our currency. What a treasure to bring to church! Beware! God the Holy Spirit preaches through St. James, Jas 2:1-5 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. (2) For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, (3) and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, "You sit here in a good place," and say to the poor man, "You stand there," or, "Sit here at my footstool," (4) have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? (5) Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?
Naaman’s letter and treasures appear to be war to King Joram (vs.6-7) The mighty king of Israel can’t cure anyone of an incurable disease. Syria is sending it’s mightiest general to spy out the land and use his lack of healing to declare war! Our old adam plays the same game - what is that sinner doing in our congregation - they must be here to spy us out, seize control, and destroy us.
What treasure did the man full of leprosy bring Jesus? (Vs.8) His humble trust in our Lord’s good and gracious will! No one would touch that man fearful of contracting his incurable disease. Jesus reaches out His hand embracing the man no one had touched for years. Then He speaks His Word! “I will be clean!” Elisha preaches to king Joram, repent the Lord God is present in His Word preached even in apostate Israel. Hope’s treasure is that every Sunday we gather here laying our sins upon Jesus. He wills to make us clean through His forgiving touch as He speaks to us through His preacher, “I forgive you all your sin!” Lay this treasure on Jesus’ cross here every Sunday - Jesus is here among us - poor miserable sinners have hope’s treasure - the blood of Jesus washes away all our sin!
III. Why should I waste my time coming to church every Sunday? I can read my Bible at home, there are many sermons I can watch on the internet, church is a waste of time - it’s foolish to think a sinful man in a robe can forgive my sins, that bread and wine feed me the food of immortality, that prayers and hymns are heard by God. It’s too simple! Our fleshly eyes and ears are blind and deaf to the things of the Holy Spirit! (Vs.9-10) The presidential motorcade pulls up in front of the church - instead of a formal welcome - the preacher sends out his message, Act 2:38-39 "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (39) For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call." How would that play in the press? This isn’t the treatment a great man like Naaman expected. (Vs.11-12) He thought he knew how the worship service would go. The preacher would make a great show, wave his hand over the leprosy, and he’d be healed. What is the simple message? Go jump in the shallow muddy Jordan seven times and be healed! I can go home and wash in the pure waters of Damascus. These simple words and actions are scandalous! I’ll never go back to that church again! Do they take me to be a fool! Many people stop coming to church scandalized by its simplicity. They want entertainment, excitement, things done their way. A man in a robe preaching, baptizing, forgiving, praying - doesn’t seem to manifest God’s glory!
IV. Our Creator called all things out of nothing by the power of His Word. Jesus the Father’s only begotten Son is the One through whom God the Holy Spirit gives all things life. The Roman centurion understands the power of authorities Word. Jesus only needs to speak His Word - reality happens - healing comes through the preached Word of God!
Naaman a military commander is taught by his servants.(vs.13) They call him to repent and listen to God’s promise in the Word preached by Elisha. Hearing the Word repeated by his servants the Holy Spirit works faith in Naaman. (Vs.14) He washes according to the Word and Promise of God. Now his flesh is restored like a newborn baby! Seeing God’s Word at work in the water he comes back to church confessing.(vs.15a) There is no other God in all the earth - except Yahweh! Jesus is Lord! Crucified for our sins, Jesus is raised by the Father to declare us forgiven - healed, renewed restored by His Spirt in living flesh and blood! Baptism is God’s Word and Work - it leads us to confess Jesus as the only Lord and God in all the earth.
Naaman would return home, but he took two dirt loads of earth with him from Israel. Why? To build a church in Syria -where he would preach the God of Israel and His healing sacrifice through His Word preached.
Preaching is a dangerous business, but it is Christ Jesus’ business in this world - The Triune God still manifests the glory of the only begotten Son Jesus by His Spirit. 1Co 1:21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. Invite your family, friends, and especially your enemies to come with you to church. “Wash and Be Clean!” Amen.
Sermon Text: 2 Kings 5:1-15a
Sermon Theme: “Wash and Be Clean!” I. Humble Greatness.(vs.1-3) II. Hope’s Treasure.(vs.4-8) III. Scandalized By Simplicity. (Vs.9-12) IV. Word and Water Renewal.(vs.13-15a) by Rev. Nathan J. Rusert
I.N.R.I. The Preacher drew His sermon to a close in His hometown house of worship. Luk 4:24 Then He said, "Assuredly, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own country. The leaders of His church asked Him to preach that day, but their blood boils as He finishes His sermon, Luk 4:27 And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian." They know the Preacher’s family, they had watched Him grow up in their town. Furious with His first hometown sermon they seethe with rage and riot against Him. They plan to murder Him - throw Him off a cliff. He walks through the crowd and leaves - it is not His time and this is not the place for Him to die.
Preaching is dangerous. Preach the Truth of God’s Holy Word and the cross comes. Water down God’s Holy Word to please the people God’s wrath rises and eternal punishment in hell await. There is no grey spaces, no being lukewarm, when handling the living active Word of God. Today the Church remembers St. Titus, preacher and confessor. The Holy Spirit instructs pastor Titus through the pen of St. Paul of the qualifications to be a preacher in Christ’s Church: Tit 1:6-9 if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. (7) For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, (8) but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, (9) holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict. The ordination of women to the pastoral office is rejection of the Holy Spirit and rebellion against the clear Word of God. Titus preached Christ Jesus’ sound doctrine. Like Paul, he determined to know nothing among his congregation except Christ crucified. Titus’ reward - tradition records that he was martyred around 96AD.
The hometown Preacher we began with was also martyred in Jerusalem around 30AD. He preached, Luk 9:23-26 .... "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. (24) For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. (25) For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? (26) For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father's, and of the holy angels.” The Preacher’s Name is above every Name - the only saving Name - Jesus of Nazareth - The Christ! He continues to manifest His glory as the God/Man through His Word and Work in our world. Hear Him today through one of His Old Testament preachers: “Wash and Be Clean!” I. Humble Greatness.(vs.1-3) II. Hope’s Treasure.(vs.4-8) III. Scandalized By Simplicity. (Vs.9-12) IV. Word and Water Renewal.(vs.13-15a)
I. “Repay no one evil for evil.”Rom 12:19-21 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord. (20) Therefore "IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM; IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP COALS OF FIRE ON HIS HEAD." (21) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
St. Paul, whose conversion the Church celebrated yesterday, preaches these words to us. We might think they are easy words, but they are not - they grate against our idolatry of self. When someone wrongs us our blood boils and we plan to get even.
Learn - humble greatness! Listen (vs.1). Naaman had power, influence, riches, and intelligence. He was a great strategist. He was honored by the king of Syria. All his greatness ground to nothing by his incurable skin disease - he was a leper. It would be like a billionaire respected by the president, diagnosed with stage four malignant melanoma. All his greatness cannot reverse his incurable cancer. He is a great man humbled by a disease he can’t control.
Behold a greater little girl. (Vs.2) Imagine raiders bursting into your home, slaughtering your parents, tying you up, and taking you far away from home to be a slave for their wives. Wouldn’t you seethe with hatred? Israeli hostages released from Hamas rejoice in Gaza’s destruction. This young slave girl has compassion on the woman she is forced to serve and on her husband Naaman. She speaks hope (vs.3) Humbly she is great. In essence she invites Naaman to church. She confesses the Lord God of Israel as the One who heals through His preaching prophets.
Humble yourself under Christ’s cross to be great. Overcome evil with good. Joyfully serve even your enemies in your daily calling. Humbly invite them to come with you to church. Healing is here in God’s Word and Works - every Sunday!
II. The Preacher had just finished His sermon on the mount. Mat 6:19-21 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; (20) but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. (21) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Jesus had preached to us in the middle of His sermon. Walking off the mountain a hopeless man meets the Preacher. A man full of leprosy prays, “Lord, if You will, You can make me clean.”
What treasures do you bring to Church? (Vs.4-6) The seed of hope is planted in Naaman’s heart. He goes to his king and is given permission and a letter to the king of Israel for healing. Ten changes of expensive festival robes. Silver and gold worth millions in our currency. What a treasure to bring to church! Beware! God the Holy Spirit preaches through St. James, Jas 2:1-5 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. (2) For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, (3) and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, "You sit here in a good place," and say to the poor man, "You stand there," or, "Sit here at my footstool," (4) have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? (5) Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?
Naaman’s letter and treasures appear to be war to King Joram (vs.6-7) The mighty king of Israel can’t cure anyone of an incurable disease. Syria is sending it’s mightiest general to spy out the land and use his lack of healing to declare war! Our old adam plays the same game - what is that sinner doing in our congregation - they must be here to spy us out, seize control, and destroy us.
What treasure did the man full of leprosy bring Jesus? (Vs.8) His humble trust in our Lord’s good and gracious will! No one would touch that man fearful of contracting his incurable disease. Jesus reaches out His hand embracing the man no one had touched for years. Then He speaks His Word! “I will be clean!” Elisha preaches to king Joram, repent the Lord God is present in His Word preached even in apostate Israel. Hope’s treasure is that every Sunday we gather here laying our sins upon Jesus. He wills to make us clean through His forgiving touch as He speaks to us through His preacher, “I forgive you all your sin!” Lay this treasure on Jesus’ cross here every Sunday - Jesus is here among us - poor miserable sinners have hope’s treasure - the blood of Jesus washes away all our sin!
III. Why should I waste my time coming to church every Sunday? I can read my Bible at home, there are many sermons I can watch on the internet, church is a waste of time - it’s foolish to think a sinful man in a robe can forgive my sins, that bread and wine feed me the food of immortality, that prayers and hymns are heard by God. It’s too simple! Our fleshly eyes and ears are blind and deaf to the things of the Holy Spirit! (Vs.9-10) The presidential motorcade pulls up in front of the church - instead of a formal welcome - the preacher sends out his message, Act 2:38-39 "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (39) For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call." How would that play in the press? This isn’t the treatment a great man like Naaman expected. (Vs.11-12) He thought he knew how the worship service would go. The preacher would make a great show, wave his hand over the leprosy, and he’d be healed. What is the simple message? Go jump in the shallow muddy Jordan seven times and be healed! I can go home and wash in the pure waters of Damascus. These simple words and actions are scandalous! I’ll never go back to that church again! Do they take me to be a fool! Many people stop coming to church scandalized by its simplicity. They want entertainment, excitement, things done their way. A man in a robe preaching, baptizing, forgiving, praying - doesn’t seem to manifest God’s glory!
IV. Our Creator called all things out of nothing by the power of His Word. Jesus the Father’s only begotten Son is the One through whom God the Holy Spirit gives all things life. The Roman centurion understands the power of authorities Word. Jesus only needs to speak His Word - reality happens - healing comes through the preached Word of God!
Naaman a military commander is taught by his servants.(vs.13) They call him to repent and listen to God’s promise in the Word preached by Elisha. Hearing the Word repeated by his servants the Holy Spirit works faith in Naaman. (Vs.14) He washes according to the Word and Promise of God. Now his flesh is restored like a newborn baby! Seeing God’s Word at work in the water he comes back to church confessing.(vs.15a) There is no other God in all the earth - except Yahweh! Jesus is Lord! Crucified for our sins, Jesus is raised by the Father to declare us forgiven - healed, renewed restored by His Spirt in living flesh and blood! Baptism is God’s Word and Work - it leads us to confess Jesus as the only Lord and God in all the earth.
Naaman would return home, but he took two dirt loads of earth with him from Israel. Why? To build a church in Syria -where he would preach the God of Israel and His healing sacrifice through His Word preached.
Preaching is a dangerous business, but it is Christ Jesus’ business in this world - The Triune God still manifests the glory of the only begotten Son Jesus by His Spirit. 1Co 1:21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. Invite your family, friends, and especially your enemies to come with you to church. “Wash and Be Clean!” Amen.
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