“YOU ARE SET FREE FROM YOUR INFIRMITY”

Passage: Luke 13:10-17

Key verse: 12

NIV

Jesus Heals a Crippled Woman on the Sabbath

10 On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues,(A) 11 and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years.(B) 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,(C) and immediately she straightened up and praised God.

14 Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath,(D) the synagogue leader(E) said to the people, “There are six days for work.(F) 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?(G) 16 Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham,(H) whom Satan(I) 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,(J) but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing.

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

A Woman with a Disabling Spirit

10 Now (A)he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11 And behold, there was a woman who had had (B)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 (C)laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and she (D)glorified God. 14 But (E)the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus (F)had healed on the Sabbath, said to the people, (G)“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! (H)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, (I)a daughter of Abraham whom (J)Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?” 17 As he said these things, (K)all his adversaries were put to shame, and (L)all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

While Jesus was teaching on the Sabbath, he saw the woman, understood her situation, and decided to set her free (note it was a spirit, not just old age). The result was freedom that brought praise to God. Jesus had already taught that he is Lord of the Sabbath, and that the Sabbath is for doing good and giving life (6:1-11). Our times of gathering should be punctuated with the liberating work of the Messiah and characterized by the joyful sounds of praise rendered to God in gratitude for his amazing grace given us in Jesus.

The synagogue leader became indignant. He only wanted teaching, not healing, at his worship service. He had an order of service and a bulletin, and Jesus was going off script because of these “needy” people! Jesus rebuked him as a hypocrite: the basic thing he would do for his animals he wasn’t willing to do for this woman. When we become focused on control and an agenda for our gatherings, they become habitual and lifeless. We don’t notice the people around us and their needs. Instead, let’s welcome Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath to come and provide the spiritual healing needed in our families and communities, setting people free, that our gatherings may be delightful.

Prayer: Father, thank you for Jesus who heals us from our infirmities, setting us free through the gospel. May our worship services be a joyful space for this healing in our community today.

One Word: Jesus, set us free this Sunday