The Get Loose

Miracles
The Get Loose

Luke 13:10-17 - Jesus sees a woman crippled by an evil spirit (Jesus actually tells us WHY this woman has been bent doubled over for 18 years – held in bondage by Satan). This DOES NOT MEAN all illness or disability is from Satan. In this specific instance, we know the reason – because Jesus lets us know. She is unable to even lift her head – lived a lifetime staring at the ground. Jesus calls out to her, touches her, and the text says, “She is loosed!” “Loosed” was a medical term used by doctors to describe when someone was released from disease, tendons relaxing, or a taking off of bandages (Makes sense b/c Luke was a doctor). In that moment she could stand upright. She praises God! This is where the story should have ended: with the right response.

But, Jesus intends to address the hearts of the religious leaders as much as he desires to address the hearts of the crowds and this woman. The synagogue leader in a roundabout way – addresses Jesus – by telling the people NOT to come to synagogue on Sabbath to be healed (talk about passive aggressive). The Sabbath healing issue was regularly a point of contention for the leaders and Jesus. The leaders had turned Sabbath into a weight too much for anyone to bear. BUT GOD intended for Sabbath to be a day of life – as it reminded us of our life WITH GOD (something the religious leaders had forgotten about).

The religious leaders had become so addicted to their forms and traditions that they COULD NOT SEE PEOPLE! Jesus takes them to their own living rooms (where their animals would be tied up for the night in first century Palestine). Each morning, because the animals were never to be left in the house during the day, they were untied and taken outside the house for food and water. Jesus was saying to the leaders – “you’d untie your animals, but you’d rather see a bound up woman remain that way, because it doesn’t fit into your traditions? Sabbath, as it truly is meant to be understood – is the PERFECT time for God to free and heal…” Life points to God!

Jesus intends to reveal the hypocrisy of the religious leaders.
Jesus shows his power to overthrow the reign of Satan and usher in God’s Kingdom.
Jesus’ mission is to loose people from the crippling influences in our life.

Responses:
The woman was already in the synagogue. She was there as a part of her life. God showed up. Will we put ourselves in a place to see God work in our lives regularly?
The woman praised God at her healing: the appropriate response.
The synagogue leader ignored the miracle and obsessed over the traditions, losing sight of what matters most – God’s Kingdom life!
The crowd enjoyed the religious leaders embarrassment AND seeing God’s power. Could have been a mixed response in the synagogue that day.