But the leader in charge of the synagogue was indignant that Jesus had healed her on the Sabbath day. “There are six days of the week for working,” he said to the crowd. “Come on those days to be healed, not on the Sabbath.”
Luke 13:10-14 NLT
There is so much story in these short 5 verses. Jesus was teaching on the Sabbath and was moved with compassion at the sight of the crippled woman - just like He always was/is moved with compassion and healed everywhere He went. One would think that there would have been an uproar of praise as a result of witnessing the healing miracle! Indeed, there was an uproar, but of a different kind.
The rules made by the leadership had been transgressed. The leader was indignant! And that sure translates to situations today. How dare we do God's work where it is not socially acceptable? How dare we speak His Name as sacred instead of as a swear word? How dare we attempt to fulfill the Great Commission outside of the church building where we might be seen and heard?
If we read further in the chapter, we realize that the Rule of Man would have been content for the woman to continue in her crippling bonds rather than make them have to acknowledge its crippling effect for its double standard. Do we allow ourselves to continue to be bound because of manmade rules and expectations?
Prayer:
Father,
Open our eyes to very clearly see Your Way, Your will. Give us the courage to stand against anything and everything that would dare to exalt itself against Christ. Give us a fresh anointing of compassion for those around us who walk crippled physically, emotionally or spiritually, so that we may lay hands on the sick and they shall recover, according to Your Word. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
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