The proof is in the pudding. That’s a common saying that has morphed into meaning you must actually try the food in order to know if it’s good or not. This week as we talk about The Unlikely Missionary, we will focus our attention on the proof of the pudding.

Image © Providence Collection from GoodSalt.comcr

This quarter we have the luxury to examine the lives of biblical Missionaries. Each story, while unique, will have some striking similarities with the others. The one we will look at today is the result of an encounter with someone who is in touch with God.

The story of Naaman is one that many of us first learned in our Cradle Roll classes during Sabbath School. There’s even an old gospel song about Naaman going down into the Jordan seven times. Check it out on Youtube.

The chain of events that led to Naaman’s cleansing began with a servant girl. She’s notable for several reasons. First of all, she cared enough. She was a slave girl taken from her home, yet she displayed the attributes of care and concern that is vital to being a missionary for God.

She pointed Naaman to a source of healing. (That’s the first clue of our target). Even though far removed from her home and the goings on of her former society, she had confidence in the prophet’s connection with God and she implored her mistress for Naaman to seek him out for healing.

We follow the story as Naaman made the journey to Israel. This had to be a difficult trip for him. He was a leper, and that was the equivalent to having a death sentence. His life of promise was likely to end soon and in all of his nation no one could deliver him from this deadly disease. Each mile that he traveled surely was filled with a mixture of doubt and hope. He was on a faith journey, and he didn’t even know it.

As recorded in 2 Kings 5, Naaman found himself at the door of the prophet. A powerful soldier stood on one side of the door – inside was a prophet who was his only hope of healing. I’m sure Naaman waited to see what the prophet would look like. Would he look godly and speak with the voice of an angel? Would he dance around Naaman conjuring up spirits to remove the disease? Would he lay powerful, anointed hands upon his head and, with a voice of authority, command the disease to leave? Just what would this prophet do to save him?

However, he prophet Elisha didn’t even come to the door. He simply sent Naaman a message. We can’t pass over this point too quickly. (It’s another clue for our target). In this age of reality shows and constant camera selfies, we find a complete absence on the part of the prophet in having the focus on him. He was simply an agent in the cause of God.

And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean.” 2 Kings 5:10

This made absolutely no sense and Naaman became furious. His emotions certainly got the best of him, and what faith he did have was severely tried and tested. Thankfully for Naaman there were people in his company that didn’t parrot his rage but asked him to put the request into the proper perspective. (As a side note, we need people in our lives that don’t just mimic our emotions but instead encourage us to keep going although the odds seemed stacked against us.)

When Naaman had done as he was instructed, he came out of the Jordan River a healed man! This had to be the best day of his life. I can imagine how awe-struck his attendants were and the many hugs of congratulations Naaman received as he was standing healed on the bank of the river.

But the proof is in the pudding. What would be Naaman’s reaction to this life-saving miracle? How would he process this, and what would be the lasting effect of his encounters with missionaries for God?

And he returned to the man of God, he and all his aides, and came and stood before him; and he said, “Indeed, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel” 2 Kings 5:15

The story of Naaman demonstrates the target of our discussion and the characteristic of all who truly represent God. The attention and glory goes to God and not to the instrument. It is the evidence, the fruit of being connected with God.

John the Baptist said it as simply as it could be said.

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30

In all of our missionary endeavors this vital truth must be foundational to all of our efforts. Our encounters with our communities must not be to toot our own horns nor to show others how good we are. It must be to point everyone to “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29

“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” John 12:32

Here are a few Hit the Mark questions for this week’s lesson discussion:

• What does being a missionary mean to you?
• Is it true that the most important aspect of being a missionary is the message and not necessarily the lifestyle of the messenger? Why yes or no?
• Is it true that only some are called to be missionaries? Why yes or no?
• What does Christian humility mean?
• Must all believers be humble? Explain your answer.
• Is the following statement True, Mostly True, Somewhat True or Not True: The more resources a local church has (finances, members) the more effective they can be as missionaries in their community. Explain your answer.

We close this week’s lesson with some insightful words from the Apostle Paul. We’ll use the Amplified Bible to give this text clarity. We can’t go wrong by following Paul’s example.

For I resolved to know nothing (to be acquainted with nothing, to make a display of the knowledge of nothing, and to be conscious of nothing) among you except Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and Him crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:2

Until next week, let’s all continue to Hit the Mark in Sabbath School!

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