Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
Healed
As I sit to write about this crippled woman healed on the Sabbath, I can think only of all of us who are in pain in our bodies. If we are dealing with osteoporosis or rheumatoid arthritis, it will be with us for the rest of our life. According to the text, this woman was bent over for eighteen years, and still got up that Sabbath morning to go into the synagogue.
Unbeknownst to her, this day in the synagogue would be different for her, because after Jesus’ pronouncement of healing, she was no longer the same, but able to stand up straight and tall and to praise the Lord.
Despite this miracle event, Jesus was chastised for doing this on the Sabbath. Really!
The gospel writer tells us that the folks were very indignant because Jesus healed on the Sabbath. These same synagogue leaders stated that there are six days to work; so come and get healed on these days, not on the Sabbath (Luke 13:14).
It’s ironic that this woman was in the synagogue, doing what she was accustomed to do on the Sabbath, just like everyone else. But Jesus decided to heal this woman, after seeing her bent over, without even asking her if she wanted to be healed.
Luke 13:11–17 shows that Jesus knows us even better than we know ourselves. And Jesus is willing to heal us, even when we are not sure if it is possible. He will risk ridicule, opposition, chastisement, and even death in order to save us from our own infirmities.
What are the things that keep us bent over, not able to stand up? What keeps us doing what we are accustomed to doing, but not willing to ask God for healing?
Rhonda Robinson, retired pastor
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania