July 10, 2025 • 17 mins
In the face of religious rigidity, Jesus heals a woman long bound by a spirit, showing that the true essence of the Sabbath lies not in strict rules, but in freeing the oppressed and restoring life.
Jesus heals a woman bound by a spirit for eighteen years in the synagogue on the Sabbath, freeing her from pain, while the religious leaders protest, accusing Him of violating the Sabbath law. Jesus rebukes them, reminding the crowd that compassion and setting captives free should be at the heart of God’s day of rest.
Today's Bible verse is Matthew 6:33, from the King James Version.
Download the Pray.com app for more Christian content including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.
Pray.com is the digital destination for faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
But seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness,
and all these things will be added to you Matthew
six thirty three. Heavenly Father, we thank you for your
promise in Matthew six thirty three to provide for us
when we seek first your kingdom and righteousness. Forgive us
when we are distracted by the worries and desires of
(00:22):
this world. Lord, help us to turn our eyes back
to you, trusting that you are our provider and our
source of peace. Give us hearts that hunger for your presence,
seeking your will above all else. Teach us to prioritize
your kingdom in our daily lives, to live righteously, and
(00:44):
to walk in obedience. Fill us with confidence that as
we focus on you, all that we need will be given.
Empower us to be a light that reflects your kingdom,
draw awing others to your love. In Jesus' name, we
pray Amen. Thank you for praying with me today. You're
(01:08):
listening to the Jesus Podcast. Remain here for a dark
story about Jesus and demons. If you've gleaned anything from
this podcast, we'd love it if you're left to review
and shared it with a friend. Jesus leaned on the dais,
preparing to preach a word from the Law of Moses.
(01:30):
Although the Pharisees hated him, he was still a respected
teacher among many local rabbis. The small crowd had formed
in the synagogue to listen to him. His voice traveled
along the marble spires and lofty archways. It was the Sabbath,
a day for rest and contemplation. So Jesus spoke from Deuteronomy,
(01:53):
affirming the law of Moses.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
Blessed are you, Lord, our God, King of the universe,
who has chosen us from all peoples and has given
us his Torah. Blessed are you, Lord, Giver of the Torah.
Thus says the word of our God through Moses. You
shall remember that you were a slave in the land
(02:16):
of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out
from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore,
the Lord your.
Speaker 3 (02:26):
God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
Jesus rolled up the scrawl and handed it to the intendant.
He spoke with authority and call.
Speaker 4 (02:42):
The Sabbath is a day to remember freedom, freedom from
slavery in Egypt. Yes, freedom from slavery in Egypt, Yes, certainly,
but there is something greater upon us. The Lord of
the Sabbath is here to bring ultimate freedom, freedom from sin.
Speaker 1 (03:01):
The Pharisees and scribes in attendance winced at Jesus' words.
Of all the things Jesus did to annoy them, working
on the Sabbath was at the top of their list.
They stalked him like predators on the Sabbath, waiting for
moments to strike. Ironically, they treated it like a job,
(03:24):
diligently following him to see what Sabbath rules he would break.
Speaker 5 (03:29):
He's a hypocrite, they.
Speaker 1 (03:31):
Murmured to themselves. Though their jabs gave them a momentary
sense of superiority over Jesus, they would never accomplish what
they wanted.
Speaker 5 (03:40):
He invokes Moses but refuses to obey his commands.
Speaker 1 (03:45):
Of course, Jesus did obey the law Moses, he just
didn't adhere to the pharisees ridiculous additions. Jesus continued to teach,
but was interrupted by a slight shriek from the back
of the room from a woman. But the additional quality
to her voice revealed something else. What's at work in
(04:07):
her A demon was present.
Speaker 5 (04:12):
There are many things that would seek to hinder our
reach towards Christ, but the power of the Spirit provides
us with the stretch and the strength we need to
assess him. Welcome to the Jesus Podcast. We've been spending
these past couple weeks exploring Jesus's power over demons. Today,
let's immerse ourselves in a powerful story inspired by Luke.
(04:34):
Chapter thirteen, verses ten through seventeen. Picture the scene Jesus
is teaching in a synagogue on the Sabbath. The congregation
is gathered, perhaps whispering about the controversial rabbi who's been
stirring things up. Among them is a woman who's been
bent over for eighteen long years. Imagine that eighteen years
(04:55):
of staring at the ground, unable to stand straight, her
world near to the dust beneath her feet. Luke tells
us she had a spirit of infirmity, suggesting that her
physical ailment had a spiritual root.
Speaker 1 (05:12):
Eva shuddered against the wall, arms curled over her stomach
and back bent forward over her knees. She shrieked again
in pain, noise bouncing off the polished stone walls.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
Stoop.
Speaker 1 (05:29):
She shouted to herself, trying to resist her own body,
launching her forward. She walked beside the wall with a
bird like stride, unable to move correctly. Her voice cracked
under the weight of pain.
Speaker 3 (05:46):
I get stop.
Speaker 1 (05:47):
Eva fought against herself, but couldn't keep her body upright.
The demon within her was dragging her down. It was
as if there were invisible chains bound around neck. For
eighteen years she had been forced to hunch over. She
withheld another shriek, replacing her impulses with heavy breathing. Eva
(06:12):
felt so ashamed. She hadn't come in to make a scene.
She just wanted to see Jesus, but now every eye
was on her. Eva turned to leave, but then she
heard the voice of her creator, beckoning her, dear woman,
come forward. His command was gentle to Eva's ears, but
(06:36):
demanding to the demon within her. Eva's head turned to
the crowd's judgmental gaze, but Jesus called out again to
get her attention.
Speaker 3 (06:47):
Sweet child, look over here.
Speaker 1 (06:50):
Jesus made sure her gaze was fixed on him and
no one else. She strode forward, legs forced to stretch
far to the side to keep her upright. Her ailment
had ravaged the rest of her body, forcing her hips
out and back forward. Every inch of her body ached.
(07:10):
Eva made her way to the dais, doing her best
to ignore the crowd. Jesus leaned forward and touched her shoulder.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
I've spoken about freedom here this morning, did you hear it?
Speaker 2 (07:24):
Yes?
Speaker 3 (07:25):
Lord, I'm sorry I interrupted Eva. Today, you are free
from your disability.
Speaker 1 (07:34):
At first, there was silence, then a loud pop bounced
off the walls. Eva gave out a loud gasp. Then
there was another sound. Her shoulders cracked back below her ears.
Each vertebrae in her spine cracked into place one by one.
(07:55):
Eva's eyes widened. She looked up at Jesus with a
glimmer in her eye. Then slowly she lengthened her body upward,
reaching her neck up to the sky. Her back followed,
holding her upright. Eva cried out in relief, her eyes
(08:17):
filled with light. Then she arched her back again and
swung it from side to side. Her muscles moved effortlessly
from side to side, and her bones locked into place,
firm and straw.
Speaker 4 (08:33):
Ah, I feel like a mountain has been removed from
my shoulders.
Speaker 6 (08:40):
I'm I'm You're free, Jesus had interrupted her words, but
more importantly, he had intervened to save her life.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
She was truly free. Jesus placed a hand on her
straightened shoulders, as though he were comforting a close friend.
Speaker 3 (09:02):
Rest in the deliverance of God today go in peace.
Speaker 1 (09:07):
Eva inhaled deeply, breathing in the first full breath of
air in eighteen years. She turned to the crowd and laughed, Oh.
Speaker 7 (09:21):
Oh, praise I don't I praise the Lord for healing me.
Speaker 3 (09:25):
Do you see what is possible with God?
Speaker 1 (09:29):
Eva skipped and sang. A cacophony of praise, worship, scoffs
and murmurs filled the room. The ruler of the synagogue
watched the entire thing with utter disgust. Jesus miracle was
like a sip of sour wine to the ruler. The
taste showed on his face. His nose scrunched upwards, and
(09:53):
his lips curled behind his beard. He stood up, hands
gripping his amulet silence. Some other religious rulers stood up
behind him. All of them wore faces of self righteous anger.
The rabbi wagged his finger at Eva and scolded her.
Speaker 7 (10:14):
The Law of Moses clearly states that six days off
of work, and one is appointed for rest. Couldn't you
have come on any other day to be healed? This
is the sabbath. It's not a day for you. It's
the Lord's day. You have you advocrats, Jesus interrupted with
a shout. His voice boomed against the walls. The room
(10:38):
fell silent. Jesus' anger was palpable, pulsating from him like
heat from a furnace. The air shifted, and everyone tensed
with fear and reverence. At this moment, it was clear
to everyone in the room that Jesus wasn't a mere man.
(10:59):
He he was in command. He was the Lord. He
stepped from the dais toward the rulers.
Speaker 8 (11:08):
When it's the sabbath, do you refuse to untie your
ox a donkey, lead them to water?
Speaker 3 (11:14):
Do you let them go.
Speaker 8 (11:15):
Thirsty because you couldn't manage an ounce of effort. You
wouldn't let your animals go punched? How much more precious
is this young woman, a daughter of Abraham?
Speaker 1 (11:26):
Jesus pointed to her, trying to draw some humanity from
the religious leaders.
Speaker 2 (11:32):
Look at her.
Speaker 4 (11:33):
Satan has bound this woman for eighteen.
Speaker 9 (11:36):
Years, but now her bonds are loosened on the Sabbath today,
of all day, should be for such an act, for
it is on this day that we celebrate bonds being broken.
Speaker 1 (11:50):
As Jesus said these things, the crowd began to clap.
Jesus's passion had stirred them up. They were able to
see the good in what you, Jesus, had done. At
the end of the day, it was hard to deny
something purely good for the sake of ceremony. The people
irrupted in cheers. Some of the women embraced Eva. The
(12:14):
rulers stepped back, flustered and ashamed. None of them relented. Instead,
they swiped their robes back and turned their feet away
from Jesus. The ruler of the synagogue blushed scarlet heat
filled his body, and he turned to leave. The ruler
(12:35):
of the synagogue paced down the length of the synagogue
and a few long hallways. His sandals clacked on the
hard stone floors. He passed altar after altar, quickening into
the secret back room until he found the chief priest
preparing his white ceremonial garments and ephought Master Caiaphas. He
(12:57):
bowed as he entered the dimly lit chamber.
Speaker 7 (13:00):
This mischief maker Jesus must be dealt with.
Speaker 1 (13:05):
The chief priest, wrapped his head in wool and linin's garves.
Speaker 5 (13:09):
He calls himself a rabbi, doesn't.
Speaker 7 (13:12):
He He calls himself more than that.
Speaker 1 (13:15):
The rabbi's reply was dark. He leaned over and lowered
his voice, almost as if the words themselves were cursed.
Speaker 7 (13:24):
He claims to be the Messiah.
Speaker 1 (13:26):
The chief Priest's face coiled in disgust blasphemy.
Speaker 5 (13:31):
Perhaps it's time we did something about this, Jesus of Nazareth.
Speaker 3 (13:37):
Is it time to get pilot involved?
Speaker 5 (13:40):
Much too early for that. Arrange for a dinner. Invite Jesus.
I want our highest ranking officials to see what you
have seen. We need to be of one mind going forward.
Speaker 1 (13:53):
The ruler bowed his head, then turned with a new
found sense of hope in their plan to conspire against Jesus.
Speaker 5 (14:06):
As Jesus is teaching, he notices this woman. He doesn't
wait for her to approach him. Instead, he calls her, over, woman,
you are loosed from your infirmity, he says. He lays
his hands on her, and immediately she straightens up, perhaps
taking in the full view of the synagogue for the
first time in nearly two decades. She begins to glorify God,
(14:27):
but not everyone is thrilled. The ruler of the synagogue
is indignant. There are six days on which men ought
to work. He tells the crowd, therefore, come and be
healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day. Talk
about missing the forest for the trees. It's like someone
complaining that a life saving surgery was performed on a weekend.
Jesus responds, sharply, hypocrite. Doesn't each of you on the
(14:49):
Sabbath loose your ox or donkey from the stall and
lead it to water. So shouldn't this woman, a daughter
of Abraham, whom Satan has bound for eighteen years, be
loosed from this respond on the Sabbath. First, Jesus sees
those whom society overlooks. This woman didn't ask to be healed.
Jesus initiated the encounter. How often do we overlook those
(15:12):
who are bent over by life's burdens. Maybe they're dealing
with depression, addiction, or loneliness. Jesus models proactive compassion. Second,
not all ailments are merely physical. While we shouldn't attribute
every illness to spiritual causes, we Also shouldn't ignore that
some struggles have deeper roots. Are there areas in our
(15:34):
lives where we are spiritually bent over, unable to stand
tall in faith? Third, legalism blinds us to God's work.
The synagogue ruler valued rules over restoration. Are we sometimes
so caught up in tradition or protocol that we miss
the miracles happening right before our eyes. Let's prioritize compassion
(15:56):
over convention. Fourth, the Sabbath is about liberation, not limitation.
Jesus chose the Sabbath to heal, highlighting that God's rest
includes freedom from bondage. What better day to set someone free?
Ask yourself, what has bent you over today? Is it fear,
a guilt, or perhaps a spirit of infirmity that's been
(16:20):
lingering for years. Jesus is calling you to him, ready
to declare you are loosed from your infirmity. Also, consider
who around you might need a compassionate touch. Instead of
waiting for them to ask for help, Let's be proactive
in offering support in a world that often leaves us
hunched over under the weight of various burdens. Jesus offers
(16:43):
us a chance to stand straight and see the world anew.
Let's not let legalism or indifference keep us from experiencing
or facilitating God's healing work. Remember, when Jesus sets us free,
it's cause for celebration, not critics sism,
But seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness,
and all these things will be added to you Matthew
six thirty three. Heavenly Father, we thank you for your
promise in Matthew six thirty three to provide for us
when we seek first your kingdom and righteousness. Forgive us
when we are distracted by the worries and desires of
(00:22):
this world. Lord, help us to turn our eyes back
to you, trusting that you are our provider and our
source of peace. Give us hearts that hunger for your presence,
seeking your will above all else. Teach us to prioritize
your kingdom in our daily lives, to live righteously, and
(00:44):
to walk in obedience. Fill us with confidence that as
we focus on you, all that we need will be given.
Empower us to be a light that reflects your kingdom,
draw awing others to your love. In Jesus' name, we
pray Amen. Thank you for praying with me today. You're
(01:08):
listening to the Jesus Podcast. Remain here for a dark
story about Jesus and demons. If you've gleaned anything from
this podcast, we'd love it if you're left to review
and shared it with a friend. Jesus leaned on the dais,
preparing to preach a word from the Law of Moses.
(01:30):
Although the Pharisees hated him, he was still a respected
teacher among many local rabbis. The small crowd had formed
in the synagogue to listen to him. His voice traveled
along the marble spires and lofty archways. It was the Sabbath,
a day for rest and contemplation. So Jesus spoke from Deuteronomy,
(01:53):
affirming the law of Moses.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
Blessed are you, Lord, our God, King of the universe,
who has chosen us from all peoples and has given
us his Torah. Blessed are you, Lord, Giver of the Torah.
Thus says the word of our God through Moses. You
shall remember that you were a slave in the land
(02:16):
of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out
from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore,
the Lord your.
Speaker 3 (02:26):
God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
Jesus rolled up the scrawl and handed it to the intendant.
He spoke with authority and call.
Speaker 4 (02:42):
The Sabbath is a day to remember freedom, freedom from
slavery in Egypt. Yes, freedom from slavery in Egypt, Yes, certainly,
but there is something greater upon us. The Lord of
the Sabbath is here to bring ultimate freedom, freedom from sin.
Speaker 1 (03:01):
The Pharisees and scribes in attendance winced at Jesus' words.
Of all the things Jesus did to annoy them, working
on the Sabbath was at the top of their list.
They stalked him like predators on the Sabbath, waiting for
moments to strike. Ironically, they treated it like a job,
(03:24):
diligently following him to see what Sabbath rules he would break.
Speaker 5 (03:29):
He's a hypocrite, they.
Speaker 1 (03:31):
Murmured to themselves. Though their jabs gave them a momentary
sense of superiority over Jesus, they would never accomplish what
they wanted.
Speaker 5 (03:40):
He invokes Moses but refuses to obey his commands.
Speaker 1 (03:45):
Of course, Jesus did obey the law Moses, he just
didn't adhere to the pharisees ridiculous additions. Jesus continued to teach,
but was interrupted by a slight shriek from the back
of the room from a woman. But the additional quality
to her voice revealed something else. What's at work in
(04:07):
her A demon was present.
Speaker 5 (04:12):
There are many things that would seek to hinder our
reach towards Christ, but the power of the Spirit provides
us with the stretch and the strength we need to
assess him. Welcome to the Jesus Podcast. We've been spending
these past couple weeks exploring Jesus's power over demons. Today,
let's immerse ourselves in a powerful story inspired by Luke.
(04:34):
Chapter thirteen, verses ten through seventeen. Picture the scene Jesus
is teaching in a synagogue on the Sabbath. The congregation
is gathered, perhaps whispering about the controversial rabbi who's been
stirring things up. Among them is a woman who's been
bent over for eighteen long years. Imagine that eighteen years
(04:55):
of staring at the ground, unable to stand straight, her
world near to the dust beneath her feet. Luke tells
us she had a spirit of infirmity, suggesting that her
physical ailment had a spiritual root.
Speaker 1 (05:12):
Eva shuddered against the wall, arms curled over her stomach
and back bent forward over her knees. She shrieked again
in pain, noise bouncing off the polished stone walls.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
Stoop.
Speaker 1 (05:29):
She shouted to herself, trying to resist her own body,
launching her forward. She walked beside the wall with a
bird like stride, unable to move correctly. Her voice cracked
under the weight of pain.
Speaker 3 (05:46):
I get stop.
Speaker 1 (05:47):
Eva fought against herself, but couldn't keep her body upright.
The demon within her was dragging her down. It was
as if there were invisible chains bound around neck. For
eighteen years she had been forced to hunch over. She
withheld another shriek, replacing her impulses with heavy breathing. Eva
(06:12):
felt so ashamed. She hadn't come in to make a scene.
She just wanted to see Jesus, but now every eye
was on her. Eva turned to leave, but then she
heard the voice of her creator, beckoning her, dear woman,
come forward. His command was gentle to Eva's ears, but
(06:36):
demanding to the demon within her. Eva's head turned to
the crowd's judgmental gaze, but Jesus called out again to
get her attention.
Speaker 3 (06:47):
Sweet child, look over here.
Speaker 1 (06:50):
Jesus made sure her gaze was fixed on him and
no one else. She strode forward, legs forced to stretch
far to the side to keep her upright. Her ailment
had ravaged the rest of her body, forcing her hips
out and back forward. Every inch of her body ached.
(07:10):
Eva made her way to the dais, doing her best
to ignore the crowd. Jesus leaned forward and touched her shoulder.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
I've spoken about freedom here this morning, did you hear it?
Speaker 2 (07:24):
Yes?
Speaker 3 (07:25):
Lord, I'm sorry I interrupted Eva. Today, you are free
from your disability.
Speaker 1 (07:34):
At first, there was silence, then a loud pop bounced
off the walls. Eva gave out a loud gasp. Then
there was another sound. Her shoulders cracked back below her ears.
Each vertebrae in her spine cracked into place one by one.
(07:55):
Eva's eyes widened. She looked up at Jesus with a
glimmer in her eye. Then slowly she lengthened her body upward,
reaching her neck up to the sky. Her back followed,
holding her upright. Eva cried out in relief, her eyes
(08:17):
filled with light. Then she arched her back again and
swung it from side to side. Her muscles moved effortlessly
from side to side, and her bones locked into place,
firm and straw.
Speaker 4 (08:33):
Ah, I feel like a mountain has been removed from
my shoulders.
Speaker 6 (08:40):
I'm I'm You're free, Jesus had interrupted her words, but
more importantly, he had intervened to save her life.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
She was truly free. Jesus placed a hand on her
straightened shoulders, as though he were comforting a close friend.
Speaker 3 (09:02):
Rest in the deliverance of God today go in peace.
Speaker 1 (09:07):
Eva inhaled deeply, breathing in the first full breath of
air in eighteen years. She turned to the crowd and laughed, Oh.
Speaker 7 (09:21):
Oh, praise I don't I praise the Lord for healing me.
Speaker 3 (09:25):
Do you see what is possible with God?
Speaker 1 (09:29):
Eva skipped and sang. A cacophony of praise, worship, scoffs
and murmurs filled the room. The ruler of the synagogue
watched the entire thing with utter disgust. Jesus miracle was
like a sip of sour wine to the ruler. The
taste showed on his face. His nose scrunched upwards, and
(09:53):
his lips curled behind his beard. He stood up, hands
gripping his amulet silence. Some other religious rulers stood up
behind him. All of them wore faces of self righteous anger.
The rabbi wagged his finger at Eva and scolded her.
Speaker 7 (10:14):
The Law of Moses clearly states that six days off
of work, and one is appointed for rest. Couldn't you
have come on any other day to be healed? This
is the sabbath. It's not a day for you. It's
the Lord's day. You have you advocrats, Jesus interrupted with
a shout. His voice boomed against the walls. The room
(10:38):
fell silent. Jesus' anger was palpable, pulsating from him like
heat from a furnace. The air shifted, and everyone tensed
with fear and reverence. At this moment, it was clear
to everyone in the room that Jesus wasn't a mere man.
(10:59):
He he was in command. He was the Lord. He
stepped from the dais toward the rulers.
Speaker 8 (11:08):
When it's the sabbath, do you refuse to untie your
ox a donkey, lead them to water?
Speaker 3 (11:14):
Do you let them go.
Speaker 8 (11:15):
Thirsty because you couldn't manage an ounce of effort. You
wouldn't let your animals go punched? How much more precious
is this young woman, a daughter of Abraham?
Speaker 1 (11:26):
Jesus pointed to her, trying to draw some humanity from
the religious leaders.
Speaker 2 (11:32):
Look at her.
Speaker 4 (11:33):
Satan has bound this woman for eighteen.
Speaker 9 (11:36):
Years, but now her bonds are loosened on the Sabbath today,
of all day, should be for such an act, for
it is on this day that we celebrate bonds being broken.
Speaker 1 (11:50):
As Jesus said these things, the crowd began to clap.
Jesus's passion had stirred them up. They were able to
see the good in what you, Jesus, had done. At
the end of the day, it was hard to deny
something purely good for the sake of ceremony. The people
irrupted in cheers. Some of the women embraced Eva. The
(12:14):
rulers stepped back, flustered and ashamed. None of them relented. Instead,
they swiped their robes back and turned their feet away
from Jesus. The ruler of the synagogue blushed scarlet heat
filled his body, and he turned to leave. The ruler
(12:35):
of the synagogue paced down the length of the synagogue
and a few long hallways. His sandals clacked on the
hard stone floors. He passed altar after altar, quickening into
the secret back room until he found the chief priest
preparing his white ceremonial garments and ephought Master Caiaphas. He
(12:57):
bowed as he entered the dimly lit chamber.
Speaker 7 (13:00):
This mischief maker Jesus must be dealt with.
Speaker 1 (13:05):
The chief priest, wrapped his head in wool and linin's garves.
Speaker 5 (13:09):
He calls himself a rabbi, doesn't.
Speaker 7 (13:12):
He He calls himself more than that.
Speaker 1 (13:15):
The rabbi's reply was dark. He leaned over and lowered
his voice, almost as if the words themselves were cursed.
Speaker 7 (13:24):
He claims to be the Messiah.
Speaker 1 (13:26):
The chief Priest's face coiled in disgust blasphemy.
Speaker 5 (13:31):
Perhaps it's time we did something about this, Jesus of Nazareth.
Speaker 3 (13:37):
Is it time to get pilot involved?
Speaker 5 (13:40):
Much too early for that. Arrange for a dinner. Invite Jesus.
I want our highest ranking officials to see what you
have seen. We need to be of one mind going forward.
Speaker 1 (13:53):
The ruler bowed his head, then turned with a new
found sense of hope in their plan to conspire against Jesus.
Speaker 5 (14:06):
As Jesus is teaching, he notices this woman. He doesn't
wait for her to approach him. Instead, he calls her, over, woman,
you are loosed from your infirmity, he says. He lays
his hands on her, and immediately she straightens up, perhaps
taking in the full view of the synagogue for the
first time in nearly two decades. She begins to glorify God,
(14:27):
but not everyone is thrilled. The ruler of the synagogue
is indignant. There are six days on which men ought
to work. He tells the crowd, therefore, come and be
healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day. Talk
about missing the forest for the trees. It's like someone
complaining that a life saving surgery was performed on a weekend.
Jesus responds, sharply, hypocrite. Doesn't each of you on the
(14:49):
Sabbath loose your ox or donkey from the stall and
lead it to water. So shouldn't this woman, a daughter
of Abraham, whom Satan has bound for eighteen years, be
loosed from this respond on the Sabbath. First, Jesus sees
those whom society overlooks. This woman didn't ask to be healed.
Jesus initiated the encounter. How often do we overlook those
(15:12):
who are bent over by life's burdens. Maybe they're dealing
with depression, addiction, or loneliness. Jesus models proactive compassion. Second,
not all ailments are merely physical. While we shouldn't attribute
every illness to spiritual causes, we Also shouldn't ignore that
some struggles have deeper roots. Are there areas in our
(15:34):
lives where we are spiritually bent over, unable to stand
tall in faith? Third, legalism blinds us to God's work.
The synagogue ruler valued rules over restoration. Are we sometimes
so caught up in tradition or protocol that we miss
the miracles happening right before our eyes. Let's prioritize compassion
(15:56):
over convention. Fourth, the Sabbath is about liberation, not limitation.
Jesus chose the Sabbath to heal, highlighting that God's rest
includes freedom from bondage. What better day to set someone free?
Ask yourself, what has bent you over today? Is it fear,
a guilt, or perhaps a spirit of infirmity that's been
(16:20):
lingering for years. Jesus is calling you to him, ready
to declare you are loosed from your infirmity. Also, consider
who around you might need a compassionate touch. Instead of
waiting for them to ask for help, Let's be proactive
in offering support in a world that often leaves us
hunched over under the weight of various burdens. Jesus offers
(16:43):
us a chance to stand straight and see the world anew.
Let's not let legalism or indifference keep us from experiencing
or facilitating God's healing work. Remember, when Jesus sets us free,
it's cause for celebration, not critics sism,
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.