Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Luke 13:10-17

Luke 13:10-17
"Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And 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. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, "Woman, you are set free from your ailment." When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. But 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." But 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? And 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?" When 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.

This the beginning of a healing story that is remarkable for a number of things: 1) The woman has an affliction that is the result of a "spirit" 2) Jesus calls her "Daughter of Abraham 3) He heals her on the sabboth.

Ask yourself these questions 1) What spirit possessess you that causes you to feel crippled? 2) What does it mean to be a daughter or son of Abraham? Does this help you to let go of that sprit? 3)Is there a good time and bad time for healing? Should we always do things "by the book" or respond to needs as we perceive them?

Peace,
Philip

1 comment:

joe said...

question no. 1 I feel the spirit of "old age" coming on. It could easily be an excuse rather than a reason for being active in my walk.

question no. 2 To be a son of Abraham means to believe in God as he revealed himself to Abraham. Old age did not keep God from using Abraham in a significant way so I know that God can use me no matter how old or physically or mentally weak I am.

question no.3 God's time for healing is the best time for healing.