And behold, there was a woman who had had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. Luke 13:11
Read Luke 13:10-18.
I imagine this tormented woman, stooped over so low that her only view, as she made her way to the synagogue to see the man she had had heard might be her only hope to be set free from her crippling condition, was of the pebbles and cracks in the cobbled street and the dusty feet of passersby in the crowded courtyard. She holds on to her well-worn cane with one hand and presses the small of her back with her other hand to bring some relief from her never-ending pain. For eighteen years she had been trapped in this mangled, twisted body without once being able to maneuver as much as a mere glance in an upward direction.
Persistently trudging along, she finally arrives at the entrance of the great hall just in time to hear the Master Himself teaching the crowds with great wisdom and authority. She paused and listened with curiosity and wonder at His words. What compassion she heard in his voice as she hobbled toward Him to get a closer look.
When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your disability.” (verse 12)
Was He calling out to her? Yes! He had noticed her. He stopped mid-sentence and drew His focus directly onto her. Had she interrupted the meeting? Were people looking at her? Oh no! She had tried to hide behind the crowds and listen incognito. Now, she feared the repercussions of the religious leaders who lined the walls of the inner room listening to Jesus with skepticism, and some even with contempt.
As she bowed low at His feet, unable to look up and see the love in His eyes, He reached out His hand to her. With just one gentle touch of His miracle-working hands, her spine abruptly began straightening and strengthening. For the first time in far too many years, she tossed her cane to the floor and stretched her hands toward the sky. She began shouting praises to God. I can imagine her hopping up and down and rejoicing at the total relief from her pain and anguish.
She looked up for the first time. Jesus had not only cured her physical malady, but He had restored her hope, her crushed emotions, and her horrid reputation as the town’s bent-over hag. Everything was different now!
The rejoicing was rudely interrupted as the ruler of the synagogue became indignant with Jesus for disregarding the rigid Jewish laws and healing this woman on the Sabbath. In turn, Jesus shames these calloused, hypocritical oppressors for merely following the letter of the law but having no compassion in their hearts.
The remainder of the crowd, on the other hand, cheered at the wonderful works Jesus had performed that day. To God be the glory!
What about you?
Have you been weighted down by your circumstances? Have you looked in a downward direction for far too long? Is there something you need to bring to Jesus so He can lift you up and remove your heavy load? He can certainly straighten the crooked places and reinstate your upward vision. He can heal whatever has been broken and restore what has been stolen from you.
Just like the woman with the disabling spirit, you can also be set free by one simple touch of the Master’s hand. Call on Him. Look up to Him. Even in the midst of difficulty, He can change your perspective and give you help and hope.
I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, he who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.The Lord is your keeper;
the Lord is your shade on your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.The Lord will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
The Lord will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and forevermore. Psalm 121 ESV
