“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”
Luke 13:10-13/NIV
Exodus 20 tells us about the Ten Commandments provided by God to Moses as instructions regarding how we should live. One of the commandments designated a Sabbath day and rules associated with this day: “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns.” (Exodus 20:8-10/NIV) The Pharisees were the Jewish ultra-conservatives who followed “the Law” in staunch fashion and were known to add more laws to the original ten. We know from the scriptures that living by all the laws they had set was virtually impossible.
During the days when Jesus Christ walked the earth, He observed the Sabbath appropriately. The Pharisees were always watching Jesus seeking to catch him in some violation of the Law. Jesus healed people on the Sabbath, which the Pharisees determined as a form of “work,” violating God’s Law. I could understand work performed for personal gain could be objectionable – but not healing someone from a terrible affliction or demonic possession. The Pharisees were not happy with Jesus and were continually critical of Him while seeking to place blame.
Upon review of the focal verse (Luke 13:10-13), this was an occasion where Jesus was accused of working on the Sabbath. While Jesus was teaching in a synagogue, he healed a demon-possessed woman. This healing intervention was observed by a synagogue leader who objected because he determined what Jesus did to be a form of work. (Luke 13:14) Jesus was healing and restoring a person to improve their quality of life which is a demonstration of His love and restoration heart and not personal gain and prophet!
Jesus Christ informed the Pharisees of their hypocritical nature. He asked them a question seeking clarification of His alleged wrongdoing: “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?” (Luke 13:16/NIV). As Jesus set this woman free from her satanic imprisonment, He provides the same freedom for humanity, any day of the week, when He is accepted as Lord and Savior! Thank you, Jesus, for your redeeming nature, which provides your followers with the freedom they need!
Many blessings to you!
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
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