Luke 13:10-17 (NRSV)
Read Luke 13:10-17 on biblegateway.com
Verse 10Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. Verse 11And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. Verse 12When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, "Woman, you are set free from your ailment." Verse 13When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. Verse 14But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, "There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day." Verse 15But the Lord answered him and said, "You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? Verse 16And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?" Verse 17When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing.
Devotion
For eighteen years the woman must have strained to look in any direction but down. Crippling spirits have that affect on vision. They can prevent us from seeing the love and goodness that is close by and they can prevent others from seeing our need for compassion and understanding.
It was Jesus who notices the woman first. She makes no request of him and reveals no faith in him, yet Jesus sees her suffering and calls to her. With word and touch Jesus lifts the wounded spirit off her back and standing straight again, the woman’s vision turns panoramic.
What she sees in front of her is someone who has taken the time and the trouble to notice her. Her heart overflows with praise for God who sent this Friend, this Savior.
Prayer
God of Compassion, you bend down and heal us through the love of Christ. With the Spirit’s guidance help us see the love around us and help us be that love that is needed around us. Amen.