The Prophet Elisha
2 Kings 5:10 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.”
When the Syrian general Naaman was struck with leprosy, he heard from his Israelite slave girl that there was a prophet in Israel who could cure him. So, he came down and demanded that the king of Israel heal him. The king was upset saying, “Am I God to kill and to make alive?” But Elisha heard of it and told the king to send Naaman to him.
When Naaman came, Elisha sent his servant to say “Wash in the Jordan river seven times and you will be cleansed.” Naaman was angry. It seemed ridiculous. He said he figured Elisha would come out and “call on the name of the LORD his God and wave his hand over the place.” What seems to have offended Naaman was the humble means. There didn’t seem anything special to him about the muddy Jordan river. But his servants pointed out that the promise Elisha had made was a “great word.” That is, it was a great promise! Why pass it up?
So Naaman went and washed and was cleansed.
This is not a baptism. However, the parallels are impossible to ignore. And the biggest parallel is this – where is the God of Elijah? He was in the water. And so He is in baptism. There was nothing special about the Jordan. And there is nothing special about the water in the font in church. What is special is the promise. Might your flesh be offended at the seeming silliness of it? “What, I just dip in this water and I’m cleansed? How does that work?” But, give heed to Naaman’s servant’s, “It is a great word he has spoken. Will you not do it?”
Your command is clear and plain,
And we would obey it duly:
"You must all be born again,
Heart and life renewing truly,
Born of water and the Spirit,
And My kingdom thus inherit."
Lutheran Service Book 592:2