Passage of the Day:
On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, 11 and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” 13 Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God. 14 Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue leader said to the people, “There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.” 15 The Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Doesn’t each of you on the Sabbath untie your ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? 16 Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?” 17 When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing, Luke 13:10-17.
Reflection:
Not every Jewish town contained a synagogue. If a population was less than 12 Jewish males, synagogue was held outside, typically near a local body of water. Luke specifies that Jesus was teaching inside a physical building. As Jesus continued to speak about the spiritual truths in the Torah, His eyes were drawn to a crippled woman, hunched over in a sit. According to Luke, a first century doctor, Jesus called her to move to the front of the synagogue, like going up to an altar in front of a modern-day church. This pause in Jesus’ message likely created an awkward tension, as this hunched over woman slowly moves to the front. This woman could have used her physical condition as an excuse for not attending synagogue. Yet, I believe with the knowledge that Jesus was in town and going to teach at synagogue, some sort of belief was conceived deep inside her heart that healing was possible. Perhaps, when Jesus saw this woman, their eyes made contact, and Jesus could see the desperation in her eyes. Whatever really happened prior to being called up front, this woman never stopped believing that somehow/someway, her body would be restored.
Prayerful Action:
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.19 The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all;20 he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken, Psalm 34:18-20.
Developing the Spiritual Guts to Press On:
Growing up Roman Catholic, I went to church religiously, even on summer vacation. Yet, now as an adult, I’ve used plenty of excuses for not attending church. While some were valid reasons, this crippled woman continued to attend synagogue for nearly 20 years without receiving an answer to her prayers. Most people inflicted with this ailment would have become angry and bitter at God. As a doctor, Luke was astonished that Satan had the power to bind someone’s body for 18 years. Nonetheless, a spirit of fortitude gave this woman hope and faith to keep worshipping God until this day of healing arrived. This is the type of spiritual guts we all need to pursue.
Song of the Day:
Many of the miracles in the Bible provide a brief backstory. Yet, in some of the generic healings, you have to ponder why these individuals traveled countless miles to see Jesus. When you become desperate like this crippled woman, seek fortitude to press on.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 