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 here, 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 ruler 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! …”
(verses 10-15)
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This is a powerful story of freedom. The woman receives it. The synagogue ruler does not.
The synagogue ruler is bound by legalism. It’s made him a hypocrite, and Jesus calls him on it. While he (and the other religious leaders of the day) would allow animals to be released from their stalls on the Sabbath to have a drink of water, the healing of a woman was considered forbidden. Indeed, this man considers the healing of anyone on the Sabbath to be forbidden. So, he charges all those within earshot to stay away on that day – “no healing allowed.”
This synagogue ruler is stuck in legalism. He is right there in Jesus’ presence but gains nothing from the close proximity. He remains bound.
But the woman has a different story. She has experienced physical affliction for eighteen years – she’s been bent-over double, unable to straighten up. One of the commentators suggests her physical condition was likely caused by the bones of her spine being fused into a solid mass. Not pleasant.
But Luke tells us there is an underlying cause – she has “been crippled by a spirit.” Later, Jesus himself will speak of this woman as one “whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years” (verse 16). The physical condition she experienced was enforced by the oppressive presence of an evil spirit. Medical treatment, even had it been possible, would not suffice. This is a situation that required the direct intervention of the Lord.
Which is exactly what Jesus does. Interestingly, there is no indication that the woman herself sought Jesus’ help or even knew that he was able to offer it. Jesus is the one who initiates, seeing her need, calling her forward, speaking words of release, then laying on hands and completing the healing. Oh, how good.
The Apostle John, who was likely present for this event, later declares: “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work” (1 John 3:8). We see it in this woman’s life. Jesus brings about healing and release.
But the further work would be completed on the cross, for it was there that Jesus “disarmed the powers and authorities (e.g. forces of evil), … (and) made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross” (Colossians 2:15).
This finished work of the cross is available to us through Christ. Oh, how good. Like the woman we, too, can be set free. Although the fullness of his finished work will not be experienced until his return, yet Jesus is still at work now. It is his purpose to bring about further release from the oppressiveness of evil in our lives. The fullness is yet future, but he is working freedom right now.
On another occasion, he said, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed,” (John 8:36). The woman experienced it. Her straightened back and praise of God made it clear. Freedom. It’s his heart’s desire. He died to make it a reality.
“You are set free,” he said. And she was.
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Lord Jesus, I praise you for the freedom you worked in this woman’s life. Satan’s oppressive work was undone. Thank you that you died to provide such freedom for me, also. I trust that what you have begun, you will complete. I submit to your ongoing work in my life. Give me more of your freedom. For your name’s sake.
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Reflect:
In what ways are you needing more release, more freedom? Talk to the Lord. Submit yourself to his powerful work. Trust.
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Photo by Kristina V on Unsplash
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