Seeing myself in a bent over woman, a critical synagogue leader, and a compassionate Christ

By mmayer

Luke 13:10-17

On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, 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. When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.

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.”

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?

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?”

When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing.

Video

Luke 13:10-17. Standing up straight after 18 years of pain.

Parts of us are like the bent over woman, like the critical synagogue leader, and like Jesus who heals. Let’s explore.

The bent over woman. We have all experienced being in pain or living with frustration. We have all been overlooked. Then Jesus sees her, looking with compassion and care. He doesn’t label her as evil, demonic, or unfortunate. He calls her forward, touches her, and speaks a command of healing. She straightens up, and can now hold her head high.
We don’t always immediate healing. Sometimes it takes lots of hard work, going to counselling or therapy. Sometimes it is simply coming forward for communion, knowing that Christ is with us, and that our life is still worth living.
The critical synagogue ruler. When ever we move into a deeper healing or freedom there is usually a counter-move. The leader won’t take Jesus on directly, so tells everyone that the healing was not appropriate for the day of rest. We know the feeling that if we give in about one thing vital to us, the rest of our lives will unravel, and nothing will work anymore. There are times when we need to be reminded of the deeper purpose of our lives: we are called into a positive experience of God’s love and care for us. It’s far more than just keeping rules and regulations. When we need to change, we can trust that Jesus will call us out, and keep sending us opportunities to learn. When we find that counter-voices inside us, trying to drag us back, trust Jesus’ words, and bravely lift your head back up.
Jesus. We are all little Christs, because of our baptism. We all have Christ living in us. So we can see others with compassion and care. If we can’t help with healing, we can at least offer support, so that pain is not carried alone. We trust that the journey of our lives is well worth while, because we are journeying to God, even if there are crosses along that way. We know whose we are, and who we belong to.