“Four men who were suffering from a dreaded skin disease were outside the gates of Samaria, and they said to each other, "Why should we wait here until we die?” (2Kings 7:3)
This is the account of what happened to the four lepers who were outside the city gates. They were in an impossible situation. To go inside the city gates meant they would starve. They had no means of getting something to eat. No one would get near them to help them. And besides the whole city was besieged by the Syrian army and was starving also inside the gates. They decided to go the Syrian camp. (2 Kings 7:4-5) They said, “…the worst they can do is kill us, but maybe they will spare our lives." (2 King 7:4)
The lepers had two choices, starve in the city or be killed by the Syrians. Two choices, both of which were not good. How many of us have been in such situations? No choice is a good choice. There is no one to turn to. There is no where to go. Either choice will result in the end of us. What do we do in such a situation? The lepers chose the latter. To die was better than to suffer a slow agonizing death.
When they get to the Syrian camp, they find it abandoned. There was not a person on site. All the belongs of the army were there; horses, apparel, food and treasures. The lepers had found paradise. There were clothes and food galore. They changed their dirty sick clothes and went from tent to tent eating and drinking. But then they said to each other, “…We shouldn't be doing this! We have good news, and we shouldn't keep it to ourselves. If we wait until morning to tell it, we are sure to be punished. Let's go right now and tell the king's officers!" (2 King 7:9)
Although this is a true story, we can make an analogy. The lepers were us. We were untouchable, full of sin, the most gross and demeaning thing to God. We were dying and without hope. Any choice we made led to death, physical and spiritual.
Continuing with the account of the lepers: Why had the Syrian army left the camp? “The Lord had made the Syrians hear what sounded like the advance of a large army with horses and chariots, and the Syrians thought that the king of Israel had hired Hittite and Egyptian kings and their armies to attack them. So that evening the Syrians had fled for their lives, abandoning their tents, horses, and donkeys, and leaving the camp just as it was.” (2Kings 7:6-7) God had provided. His people in Samaria were starving because of the siege. The Lord, Jehovah Jireh (the Lord, the Provider) provided what they needed.
The Lord is still Jehovah Jireh. He’s still in the business of providing what people need. Are you full of unrepented sin and can’t shake it off? This is what Peter told the Council after being arrested for healing a lame man and preaching about the risen Jesus: “Peter, full of the Holy Spirit, answered them, "Leaders of the people and elders: if we are being questioned today about the good deed done to the lame man and how he was healed, then you should all know, and all the people of Israel should know, that this man stands here before you completely well through the power of the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth—whom you crucified and whom God raised from death. Jesus is the one of whom the Scripture says, 'The stone that you the builders despised turned out to be the most important of all.' Salvation is to be found through Him alone; in all the world there is no one else whom God has given Who can save us."(Acts 4:8-12) This is the “Good News.” In fact, Gospel means “Better than Good News.”
If you wonder why Christians are adamant about preaching to anyone who will listen, it’s because we’re like those lepers. We have Good News. We have found life. We have found forgiveness. The wrath of God has been lifted off. It’s not right to keep God’s treasure to ourselves. Do we get offended when people don’t respond? No! We all have a choice. If God won’t twist your arm to love Him, we can’t either.
True love comes willingly. We love Him because we have benefitted from His Goodness. The Lord Jesus is the only way. Paul was beheaded for saying that in Rome. Jesus Himself said, “Jesus answered him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one goes to the Father except by me.” (John 14:6) Jesus is the only way. There is no salvation in striving to be good. There is no salvation in sacrifices. It is a gift of God. We don’t deserve it. We can only accept it, believe it and receive it. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV) And today, is the day of salvation.
I must be clear and want you to understand without a doubt, that having Jesus as your Lord and Savior does not mean that all your problems will be solved “presto.” We still live in this fallen world. Jesus said, “I have told you this so that you will have peace by being united to Me. The world will make you suffer. But be brave! I have defeated the world!" (John 16:33) In this world we still have problems, but now we can rest and be at peace because we belong to the only One Who has all the power, all the authority and all the resources in the universe to help us in our need.
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