KNOWN AS A DAUGHTER OF ABRAHAM
Luke 13:10-17
IMAGINE: Going to your Sabbath day meeting and getting the surprise of your life after eighteen years of pure agony.
On this particular occasion, it is the Sabbath and Jesus is teaching in a synagogue. This is the last time in Luke’s Gospel that he does so as the Pharisees, who control the synagogues, are just not that interested in what He has to say.
A woman in the congregation, that Jesus takes notice of, has been crippled for eighteen years by a “spirit of infirmity.” In the Greek the meaning is “a state of debilitating illness, sickness, disease.” The Greek word for her condition means in a fixed bent-over position. Just imagine how hard it was for this lady to do the simple tasks of cooking, cleaning, going to the well for water, etc. It would have been difficult for her to even be in the synagogue on the Sabbath.
This lady’s condition did indeed have a physical cause but, as is indicated, there is a spiritual cause that is even greater. She most likely was in severe pain, that caused a horrible, permanent deformity brought on by an evil spirit. She is no longer capable of straightening to an upright position.
Jesus knew this lady needed healing but also understood she needed deliverance from demonic involvement. She had not solicited Jesus, but He is the one who took the initiative. No special faith or good deeds were required from her. His heart appears to be moved with compassion when he sees her and calls out to this woman telling her “woman, you are free of your disability.” He does this from where He is teaching the congregation.
As she comes closer He reaches out and puts His hands on her. It is recorded she straightens up instantly. Jesus’ touch expels the demon and immediately the woman is upright.
That must have been quite a scene that took place in the synagogue as the crowd was rejoicing right along with the dear lady who had now been set free. This was a human example of a spiritual need. Jesus was teaching that the nation needed to be set free from crippling influences and He was there to bring them to an upright state of being.
Of course, there is always at least one in the group that just does not get it. In this case it was the leader of the synagogue. It appears he appealed to the crowd to reject Jesus’ miracle. The Rabbis of Jesus’ time had twisted and added to God’s commands that everything was either ritualistic and/or legalisms. Healings were acceptable six days a week, just not on the Sabbath.
According to the Talmud, (Jewish civil and ceremonial laws) other “do nots” for the Sabbath included: one could not climb a tree, ride, swim, clap hands, strikes one’s side, dance or make a vow, plus hundreds more of restrictions to which they just kept adding. The application or use of any remedies that would cure the sick was prohibited also.
So the leader of the synagogue was totally indignant that rules and man-made laws were being broken on the Sabbath in his synagogue of all places.
So as this woman, along with the crowd from the synagogue, are rejoicing and praising God, the leader of the group is angry. As he lashes out at the people, Jesus rebukes the leader calling him a hypocrite. Jesus points out the foolishness of watering an animal on the Sabbath, but not allowing this woman her freedom from pain and agony.
The synagogue ruler is indignant that Sabbath rules are being broken. Jesus, in turn, becomes indignant that man-made rules should override Satan’s victimization of this woman. It is interesting to note that the leader of the synagogue was the one that was upset by the event that had just taken place. The synagogue attendees on the other hand were rejoicing and praising God.
As long as we are not listening to man’s ideas but following Jesus, we, as the lady and the crowd, will enjoy peace, happiness, and well-being.
This lady, beaten down with pain and physical deformity, probably felt hopeless, helpless and defeated for a very long time. We also may have times of feeling physical, emotional, or spiritual defeat. If so, do as the crippled woman did, with the assistance of Jesus: stand up, hold your head high, rejoice, and praise God for the eternal healing He has done in your life.
Something to consider:
No God,
No Peace –
Know God,
Know Peace
BIBLICAL PEOPLE 