…there was a woman who had a disabling spirit for eighteen years…He [Jesus] laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and she glorified God.
Luke 13:10-17
The beginning of this healing by Jesus tells us He was at worship, actually teaching, of God the Father somewhere other than the Temple in Jerusalem. Synagogues could be established in communities that had at least 12 Jewish men living there. During His teaching, a woman in the congregation, bent over, unable to straighten her body, because of a disabling spirit, was healed “on the spot” by Jesus. No questions from Him. No introduction of this woman. No crying, begging, pleading from this disabled woman. Jesus simply laid His hands on her and she was completely healed. The woman immediately praised God and worshipped Him. No doubt, others who witnessed this miracle, also, gave God glory and worship! However, the leader of the synagogue, no doubt a religious, legalistic Pharisee, was indignant about Jesus’ disobedience of the Pharisees’ “tradition” of not doing work on the Sabbath, that is, healing someone. And, he told the congregation of such “sin!” Jesus responded, first, by calling the synagogue leader a hypocrite. Then, He really shows their hypocrisy by pointing to their care for their animals on the Sabbath to feed and water them. And, He says, should not a “daughter of Abraham” be healed on the Sabbath. The Biblical record, here, is the first recording of Jesus’ adversaries being shamed and the people rejoicing in all the glorious things that occurred that day. Christians, our calling is not to legalism but, to new life, in Christ, glorifying Him and enjoying Him now and throughout eternity. God is our avenger! Let Him be praised and may we love our neighbors, and enemies, no matter where they are, as we are commanded to do.
Source: S C Ball February 26, 2023
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