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 there was criticism. The leader of the synagogue was “indignant” that Jesus had worked this miracle on the sabbath, the weekly day of rest.
There was also joyous praise. Luke tells us “the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he (Jesus) was doing.”
This praise was led by the healed woman herself! This unnamed person, who had been an object of pity for the years that she walked stooped over, was the first to praise Jesus in the synagogue. We read, “When he (Jesus) laid his hands on her, she immediately stood up straight and began praising God.” I picture her planting her feet, raising herself to her full height, and surprising everyone with a deep-throated song of praise to God!
When we find ourselves surprisingly blessed, may we be unashamed to follow this woman’s example and give God thanks and praise.
Prayer
Amazing Lord, you are worthy to be praised! Give me the courage and the voice to honor you for your goodness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.