We expect our family and friends to help us. We expect church and society to help us. But we don’t expect help from strangers, from people of other nations and especially not from enemies.

The help we receive from God always delights us. But when it comes through an unexpected source, it brings special delight.

Naaman was a leper who sought a cure. He sought help from Elisha the prophet. But Naaman was a Syrian, not among the children of Israel. Elisha had little or nothing to do with Syrians. But God inspired Elisha to help Naaman. Elisha ignored the nationality and focused on the illness. At his command, Naaman washed in the Jordan River seven times. He came out healed. Naaman decided he would no longer worship any other god in Syria. He would worship only Israel’s God.

The help we give strangers proclaims the gospel. In acting charitably toward others we bring Christ to them, even to those who have not yet met Christ.

When we receive the kindness of strangers, we learn how Christ is at work in the world in places we did not imagine. The miracle of charity proclaims the universality of God’s work.