2 Kings 4:8-37
Dearly beloved,
The Old Testament leads us to see not only the historical data and the
path of Israel. The Old Testament is also filled with ancient accounts that
lead us to see things of a miraculous and spiritual nature. 1 and 2 Kings
are especially decorated with salvific accounts which underscore God's
mercy, love and blessedness. At the hands of two prophets, we see much that
points us forward to the prophet, priest and king, Jesus Christ.
Elisha had the habit of staying at the home of a wealthy Shunammite
family. They gave Elisha his own room when he would stay, and they
understood that he was a holy man. Because of their kindness to him, Elisha
wanted to do something for the Shunammite woman. So Elisha has his servant
ask her what he can do for her. Her reply is quite simple: "I dwell among
my own people." She was wealthy and not really in need of anything. Her
response highlights the notion that she has her own influential people who
can put in a good word for her or help her. She indicates that she did not
really need Elisha.
So, Elisha, understanding that she had no children of her own, gives her
the blessing with a promise that she would have a child in a year. Elisha
knew what she wanted, even if she had forgotten to mention it. She finds a
great blessing through the mouth of the prophet and the child begins to grow
older until one day he comes in from the field complaining that his head
hurts. The boy died. Now, the woman's grief is great. She lays the boys
dead body on the bed in the room where Elisha would sleep when he visited.
The mother tells her husband that she is going to see Elisha and the husband
is puzzled. It is not a new moon day or a Sabbath day. There is no need for
the "man of God."
The husband looks at Elisha the way the world looks at God's gifts. He
sees nothing; he understands nothing; he knows nothing. But the woman goes
in faith to Elisha and falls at his feet grabbing him by the legs. Part of
her grief is in looking at Elisha and blaming him for all of it, because she
never asked for a son to begin with. Now, Elisha prophesied that she would
have a son, and now she has loved like she has never loved before only to
find horrible grief at her loss.
Behind this account of Elisha and the Shunammite woman, is a reminder of
what we sometimes go through in life. We see in this Scripture what the
world thinks and how the unbeliever processes information. First, the woman
didn't think that Elisha could give her anything that she didn't have. She
was not a Jew–she was a Gentile. Though she respected Elisha and saw him as
a holy man, she didn't understand how that could impact her life. But
Elisha did as God's prophets often do. He promises and it comes to pass.
Then, comes grief; sadness; loss; despair. The blessing that was not
asked for in the first place is taken away and the question left hovering in
midair is "why?". Why the gift and why the taking away? We see the husband,
then, echo the world's view of the "man of God." "Why are you going to him?
What can he do?" But with the Shunammite woman, the promise and the blessing
causes faith to sprout and bud. But, there on the bed lies death. It comes
without warning and without respect. It takes things away and changes
lives. But faith leads the woman riding to the "man of God."
What does she expect? It is hard to know. Maybe a glimmer of hope waits
in the balance. Then comes the most interesting part of this Scripture for
tonight: Elisha goes with the woman to her home to look upon the child.
Could it be that it is for this moment that the child was born. Perhaps
this child was promised so that the woman would see something she did not
expect. Maybe there is something greater that the Shunammite woman is to
learn. Is it possible that she will find something throughout this whole
sad situation that she had never anticipated nor found before?
Elisha goes into the room and sees the boy's dead, lifeless body.
Elisha shuts the door and it becomes like a tomb of death. Here stands the
man of God and there lies the dead body. Elisha, then, does the most
unexpected thing: He stretches himself out on the body and puts his mouth on
the child's mouth, his eyes on the child's eyes. Elisha basically stretches
himself out and mimics the position of the lifeless body. The child's body
became warm and life returned. The child comes back to life. The child is
resurrected.
The "man of God" gave his life to the lifeless body: Life was restored.
The child had sneezed seven times, recalling to our minds the number seven
and the days of creation. "On the seventh day God rested." The child rests
in the mercy of God. The Shunammite woman finds hope fulfilled. She comes
in and bows to the ground toward Elisha, picks up her child and leaves the
room. This Scriptural account gives us a sign and a picture of the prophet
of prophets who gives His life and breath in exchange for your death.
The lifeless bodies in the tomb shall be raised up and those who belong
to Jesus shall live with Him in paradise. What we see in the account, is a
pointed example of how Jesus works. We may receive blessings only to lose
them. But that which is lost may lead you to find something even greater.
The Shunammite woman and her husband had no idea what the power of God was
capable of. At the start, they had no idea what it was like to have a
child, let alone to know what it was like to see a resurrection.
The way of God is like this, however. The prophet of all, Jesus, enters
your world and you may give Him a place to stay, but you have no idea what
all that may entail. When Jesus, then, gives you blessings you have no idea
what lies ahead. But the thing you can know is that you must do what the
Shunammite woman did. She went to the "man of God" in haste in her time of
sorrow and need. She cried out for help from Elisha's God, and God is there
to help in every time of need.
In this Lenten season we ponder our needs. We know that we are beset on
all sides by the trouble this world affords. Sin rages and does its
wickedness. We sin and break from God, and we face the temptation to look
at God as One Who cannot help us in the midst of our grief. But your Lord
and Savior breaks into your world and wants to abide with you. Jesus makes
His dwelling with you in holy baptism. Elisha's posture of stretching
himself out on the lifeless body is a foretaste of Jesus for you.
Jesus takes on your flesh, and He goes to the cross and dies your
death. Jesus, then, takes your lifeless body filled with sin and gives you
His holy body filled with life. Jesus gives to you what is His, just as
Elisha gave his warmth and breath to the lifeless body. The resurrection is
foretold and fulfilled. The Lord descends into your world in order to give
you faith, the forgiveness of sins, and to bestow on you His love. Blessed
are those with whom the true and eternal "man of God," makes His dwelling:
Blessed are you that Jesus has made His dwelling with you. Amen.
--
Rev. Chad Kendall
Trinity Lutheran Church
Lowell, Indiana
www.trinitylowell.org
