Luke 13:10–17 (NKJV)
10 Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11 And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. 12 But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.” 13 And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
Luke 13:10-17
14 But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, “There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day.”
15 The Lord then answered him and said, “Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? 16 So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?” 17 And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him.
Once again, Jesus did the “unthinkable” and healed a person on the Sabbath. While we certainly would think this ludicrous (we pray for the healing of individuals seven days a week), it was considered by the strictest sects of Jews to be a sin to do anything resembling work on the Sabbath, outside of certain exceptions. Jesus showed Himself again to be the Lord of the Sabbath when He healed this woman with an “infirmity” who had suffered for eighteen years. It is not specifically stated here what this infirmity was, but it prevented her from straightening up (possibly stenosis, osteoporosis, or some other disease of the spine). When the ruler of the synagogue protested about the Sabbath healing, Jesus reminded Him that she was a daughter of Abraham, and certainly deserved as good a treatment as the domestic animals the Jews kept, who were loosed to get water on the Sabbath. Surely she deserved to be loosed! They were all then ashamed of their cynical response to a woman’s deliverance and were silenced.
A few thoughts come to mind. This poor woman was healed after a time when she may have thought she would never be delivered. Jesus did that, as He can do for you. Also, Jesus transcended religion to reach one in need. He will do that for you as well. Do not languish in despair. Do not give up. Believe, for Jesus has come!
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LIVE@5 – February 22, 2022
Devoted To You 
