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
When Jesus healed this woman from her disabling condition, there were two different responses. Tomorrow I’ll consider those who rejoiced, but today let’s consider the critic.
Luke tells us that when the woman was able to stand up straight after eighteen years, the leader of the synagogue was “indignant” because the healing had occurred on the sabbath day, the weekly day of rest. This reminded me, though, of a saying I heard long ago, “There is never a wrong day to do the right thing!”
Even today when someone receives an unexpected blessing there are critics. “This should have happened sooner!” “It won’t last.” “It is too expensive!” Or, tellingly, “Why didn’t I get this?”
When we notice someone receiving a blessing–whether miraculously or through human channels–may we rejoice for that person, accept it for the blessing that it is, and give God the glory!
Prayer
Bountiful God, when I am disturbed by another’s “good fortune,” raise my vision. Help me to see your love working in many surprising ways, and give you thanks. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.