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
This week’s readings raise questions about human interpretation of God’s laws. Jesus is letting us know very adamantly that love surpasses all human interpretations of law. An important starting point is to base our interpretation on the entire Bible, noting its total witness of God’s love and its call to love God in return. The danger arises when individuals “cherry pick,” picking and choosing individual scriptures which provide or support the interpretations that we are already looking for.
The Bible repeatedly speaks of a relationship emanating from God which has power to transfigure us all. It is through Jesus we see the power of our loving and ever-present God who desires that all humanity live in love. If we let this love, arising from the Holy Spirit, to work through us, then those in need of healing can be restored with God’s love.
Prayer
Good and loving God, we are so thankful that we have a loving God who wants the best for all, and whose love does not exclude anyone. Help us to see those in need and help all to see that your love is for them also. Amen.
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