Small Acts, Great Healing
A short reflection on 2 Kings 5:1-14 and Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
In 2 Kings 5, we meet Naaman, a powerful military leader burdened by a troubling skin disease. Despite his high status, no doctor or healer could cure him. Surprisingly, hope arrived through an unlikely source — a young girl, taken captive during a raid, who spoke with quiet certainty about the prophet Elisha’s power to heal. Her small act of courage began Naaman’s journey to wholeness.
At first, Naaman resisted the prophet’s simple instructions to wash in the Jordan River. He expected something grand or complex. Yet when he finally humbled himself and acted on Elisha’s words, he found healing.
In Luke 10, Jesus sends out seventy-two ordinary people to share peace and healing in local villages. They were to travel light, accept hospitality, and offer hope wherever they went. This was not just a spiritual mission but also a response to the harsh realities of life under Roman and Herodian rule. Many Galileans lived with debt, land loss, and daily struggles. Jesus’ disciples built grassroots communities where sharing, care, and trust overcame isolation and injustice.
Two simple, profound truths connect these stories: God’s power is often revealed through humble actions and unexpected people, and saying yes to God’s calling — however small it seems — can lead to healing and transformation.
Never underestimate the impact of small, faithful actions.
God calls each of us to say yes, trusting that even when we feel unqualified, the Spirit will work through us.
Ngā mihi
Philip
p.s. Worship leaders: You can buy a complete Order of Service and Sermon based on these readings here: https://philipgarsidebooks.com/products/worship-at-hand-pentecost-4-6-july-2025