Luke 13:10-35

Read Luke 13:10-35

Verses chosen for meditation: Luke 13:10-17 ESV:

10 Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11 And behold, there was a woman who had had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your disability.” 13 And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and she glorified God. 14 But the ruler of the 

synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the people, “There are six days in which work ought to be done. Come on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day.” 15 Then the Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger and lead it away to water it? 16 And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?” 17 As he said these things, all his adversaries were put to shame, and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him.

Reflect

Imagine a day in the life of the woman. How do you feel?

Why was she at the synagogue on that day? Was she seeking healing?

Why do you think Jesus healed her? What's so significant about the way he healed her? 

Was the woman demon possessed? Why then did Jesus say she was Satan bound?

What opposition did Jesus face? How did he handle it?

Relate

"She was in this condition for eighteen years. “For eighteen years she had not gazed upon the sun; for eighteen years no star of night had gladdened her eye; her face was drawn downward towards the dust, and all the light of her life was dim: she walked about as if she were searching for a grave, and I do not doubt she often felt that it would have been gladness to have found one.” (Spurgeon)

This description by Spurgeon offers a realistic glimpse into the world of a woman who had endured 18 long years. I wonder if I could have held out that long. The punishing limitations of the crippling disease would have gotten to me first.

Even then, she remained a faithful worshipper. Her attendance at the synagogue on that day was expected rather than a chance meeting. Most likely, she was there to offer prayers for a host of things, not necessarily all linked to her condition. Whatever it was, she gave no hint of weariness. She kept waiting and living the life she was handed until she caught the eye of Jesus. She heard him calling her over. It must have been a huge surprise for her to be identified and singled out from among the crowd, not to mention favoured. No one had ever given her that much attention before.

But none of these came close to making her day. It was the liberation from her long-standing suffering that finally put a smile back on her face. It was simply beyond imagination, beyond what she had asked for. And she rightfully praised God for the miracle.

Jesus couldn't have done it on a better day, on the day of rest. Nothing gives more rest than being set free. The woman had not rested for 18 years until that moment. She had also not worshipped as freely as she did that Sabbath day.

If only we knew how much we have been set free, we would find the rest and worship like she did. 

Contrary to opinions, the woman was not demon possessed. Jesus would not usually place his hand on possessed individuals. In fact, he saw faith in the woman more than anything else. That's why he called her over and said to her that she would be set free, even before carrying out the miracle. He knew that the woman would believe in what he had to say (Faith comes from hearing the Word of God: Romans 10: 17). Like the woman, we were all bound by sin until we were set free. 

 

Jesus faced opposition from the leaders of the synagogue, the very people who should have recognised the glorious thing he was doing. Instead, they took offence at what he did. On that day, he opened up not just the eyes, but the ears of the people as well. They were either put to shame or rejoicing at what they saw and heard.

As for that woman, he opened up not just her heart and mind, but a whole new world - the wonder of a newfound rest. That’s what a Sabbath is meant to be.

Rest

Lord, call my name today. Find me when I'm all alone. Find me when I'm among the crowd. For I have been holding out hope of this long - awaited moment. Touch me. Heal me. Set me free. Grant me your Sabbath rest.

Naville Chia