The Healing of Jericho’s Waters - 2 Kings 2:19–22 , Sermon by Father.Mungamuri Devadasu

 

Sermon  . The Healing of Jericho’s Waters
Scripture: 2 Kings 2:19–22

The man of God, Elisha, who received a double portion of the Spirit, performed more miracles than Elijah. Jericho was a cursed place; its people were disobedient, and therefore the land was under a curse. As a result, the water was bad, and the land was barren. Crops did not grow properly. These are punishments that disobedient people had to suffer—evil consequences. Yet even to such people, God showed mercy. The schools of the prophets were located there, and young men were trained. They later became prophets. Even among the disobedient people of this town, God granted a gracious time to hear His Word. He raised up hearers of the Word, instructed them, and prepared them to become prophets.

Some of these disciples came to Elisha and said, "The water in this city is bad, and the land is unfruitful." These men had reverence for the prophet, unlike the rest. God was still showing mercy to the disobedient. The place was beautiful in appearance, yet where there is no fertile land and no good water, it is only outwardly attractive. In the same way, in human life—education, job, wealth, and comfort may all appear beautiful externally, but their spiritual life may be barren.

In Jericho, though the land looked beautiful on the surface, the water was impure and the land was infertile. Therefore, there was no food or drink. Many Christians today are like that. They may look good on the outside, but inwardly, they lack goodness and fruitfulness. There is no spiritual nourishment or blessing.

This is a mirror for us to reflect upon our own lives. Whether good or bad, God grants grace to all out of His goodness. Even those with just external appearances—God does not withhold His mercy. He shows such grace in order to transform us into truly good people.

Elisha told them (1) to bring a new bowl, and (2) to bring salt. He said, “Put salt in the bowl and bring it to me.” The disciples learned that they must do exactly what the prophet said. They did not ask, “Why salt? Why a bowl?” Because they obeyed the prophet’s words, they too became great prophets.

In the New Testament, even at the wedding, those who carried water did as the Lord said — they didn’t ask why. In the same way, a believer must learn to do what the Lord commands.

The people of that town were disobedient, but the young students in the prophet's school were obedient. The Father desires that we also be obedient. Then the prophet said, to purify the water, throw the salt from the bowl into the spring — not into the flowing stream. He threw it at the source from where the water was coming.

Why at the spring? What use is it if God only purifies our outward life? Our inner being must be cleansed. The Lord must touch and heal the place where sin originates. When salt is thrown into the spring, the water flowing from there becomes clean.

Likewise, if the inner man is purified, the outer life will be good too. It's good to stop doing evil outwardly, but when the inner man is purified, then actions will also be transformed. If the soil beneath the earth is fertile, then the crop above will be healthy. So, we must submit to the Word and cleanse our inner being.

What does the salt signify? Salt has flavor and gives taste. Can a small amount of salt make the water good for all time? The salt serves as a sign to recognize that it is God who made the water pure.

How does God make a person whole?
It is by His free grace. That is why salt was used as a symbol of God’s free grace. The disciples showed obedience and faith, and to strengthen these, God gave them a sign. People can understand through outward signs.

When God’s grace enters a sinner, it transforms that person. But who can truly receive God’s grace? Not those who love sin. Only those who forsake sin and come to the Lord can accept His grace. They can then receive a new heart and come to God. For grace to enter, the vessel must be new—a new heart is needed.

We are earthen vessels. But within these very vessels, God reveals His glory. His glory was revealed when salt was thrown into the bowl. When we hear the Word and receive God's grace, we can truly reflect His glory. The prophet’s words were: "Thus says the Lord." Because it was God’s command, it was fulfilled. The disciples obeyed as they were instructed, and God performed a miracle.

What man is required to do, man must do. What God alone can do, He will do.
The disciples and the prophet did something simple, but God did a great work.

When we act according to the Word, God does mighty things. In our spiritual life, there are two essential needs—food and living water. We have the nourishment of the Word. God has given His Word in our own language. As we read, understand, and experience it, we grow. If God enlightens our understanding, what we read becomes clear, and then we experience its power. Many remain spiritually weak because they do not read the Word. The disciples, whether they understood it fully or not, obeyed what they were told—and they saw a great blessing. The water in that town had brought death and barrenness. But the Lord said, “I have healed this situation.” What is good in the sight of God, the prophet declared. Because the people believed, they received help.

We must believe God's Word, and it will be fulfilled. When God heals, it is permanent.
God’s Word is eternal (Ecclesiastes 3:14). Whatever God does is eternal. When the people obeyed God, they received every blessing. Because of their faith and obedience, the water became good, and the land became fruitful.

May we, too, drink of such faith-filled water and be satisfied. May we eat of the spiritual food and be strengthened. May we receive spiritual strength and joy! Amen.