“Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honorable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valor, but he was a leper.” (II Kings 5:1)
Naaman had many good things going for him. He had a high position in the Syrian army. He was great, honorable, and mighty.
But, negating all that was the last phrase in our text: “but he was a leper.” The word, “but,” erased all the good. Leprosy was a terrible disease. It carried a slow, painful death sentence with it, often following years of living in a leper colony, separated from friends and family.
One may have many good things going for him: a good education, a high position, money in the bank, a good job, a fine family, fine house and two good cars. But, there is the word, “but” again. But man is a sinner by nature.
Sin is very similar to leprosy. Just as leprosy grew, sin grows. It carries a death sentence of being separated from God and all that is holy and good. The Bible says, “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) Just as Naaman needed cleansing from his leprosy, so also do all sinners need cleansing from sin. The blood of Jesus can wash a person as white as snow.
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