15.03.25 Luke 13:10-17
Prepare
Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of your presence today. We pray that here and now, we would behold your glory and by your spirit, be transformed into someone more and more like our risen King Jesus. Amen
Read Luke 13:10-17
Jesus Heals a Crippled Woman on the Sabbath
10 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.
Reflect
While at school, I can recall being asked to participate in an indoor sports tournament. I practiced, I prepared. I got ready. But, on the day I was unable to win a single game! I’m not completely sure why. Was it just not my day? Was the environment unfamiliar? Was the opposition too good?
Thankfully, we have reason to celebrate today because unlike me, Jesus’ ability to heal and restore us is not limited by time, by place or by opposition.
Be
Jesus is not limited by the time of day or by the day of the week. The synagogue leader might have planned healing to occur on a different day but not Jesus. Hebrews 13 tells us that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. Let’s turn our minds to God trusting him to be our ever-present help in times of trouble.
Heavenly Father, thank you for your stability, your consistency, your steadfast love.
LORD God, we honour you today as Jehovah Rapha, our God who heals
LORD, Forgive me for when I doubt what you are capable of
Become
Jesus ability to heal and restore is not limited by those opposing him. As Jesus is looking to heal this crippled woman, he is not only opposed by the synagogue leader, but by the spirit within her that is causing her infirmity. This woman is called “daughter of Abraham” and yet she has had this stronghold for 18 years. This should move us to consider what strongholds might be present in our life?
Use this time to consider where the enemy might have a stronghold in your life? It might be in and through addiction or an idol, an unguarded thought life, a sin that is hidden
Father God, help shine a light on any strongholds of the enemy. We pray that where there is captivity and chains, you would bring freedom. Where there is vulnerability, you would bring protection. Where there is suffering, you would bring healing. We trust that there is power in your Name Jesus, Amen.
Do
Jesus ability to heal and restore is not limited by place. We might often attend church looking to be ministered to, to receive for ourselves and be spiritually fed. That is of course a good and right thing, something that we shouldn’t change. At the same time, let’s not forget Jesus example of being a vessel for Holy Spirit’s work in others.
It doesn’t always look like the lame walking. God might want be looking to use your words, your empathy, your mercy, your faith in the lives of others each sunday.
Practice
This Sunday, as you enter church, be asking God “who do you want me to speak to this morning?”. Do not underestimate what God might be capable of through your willingness to listen to His voice.