Live 4 The LORD

​READ

10 Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. 11 And there was a woman who had had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years; she was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. 12 And when Jesus saw her, he called her and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your infirmity.” 13 And he laid his hands upon her, and immediately she was made straight, and she praised God. 14  But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the sabbath, said to the people, “There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.” 15  Then the Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to water it? 16  And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?” 17 As he said this, all his adversaries were put to shame; and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him.  (Luke 13:10–17, RSV2CE)

REFLECT

A woman had a spirit of infirmity. (Demonic) Jesus casts out the demon lays his hands on her and heals the woman. 

[what causes a spirit of infirmity? What behavior lets a demon control your body?] Even though we let the demon in by our actions, He still does not rebuke the woman, but only rebukes the demon. The woman was coming to worship even though she is severely afflicted. She was still seeking God in the midst of turmoil. 

The Rulers of the  synagogue are legalistic and accuse Jesus of breaking sabbath. Yet Jesus points out they would do something even less for an animal so they too break their own rules and are just angry and judgmental. 

Sometimes I am so caught up in exactly how I think someone else should be doing something I do not see that I am doing the same thing. We actually have a tendency to see and dislike in others exactly what we don’t like about ourselves. The rulers supposedly (in their view) break the sabbath over trivial things and lash out over healing a human being?!?! This stinks of hypocrisy and hate. 

RESOLUTION 

I must never give up seeking God. Even if I am tormented by demons, keep coming to Jesus, he can heal and he will not rebuke me, he rebukes the evil. Of course I must go and sin no more. I do not get healed to go back in the mud!

God is almighty and can use at his disposal all means to heal people. He is trying to save all humanity. I must not judge others that are coming to Christ even if it is different from what I think is the right way (Catholic). His ways are not my ways. Yes they are missing out on the Eucharist and my heart breaks for that. But God is not bound by his sacraments. There is a normal way of salvation you have established in your church, but You are so much love and bigger than even that! Let all humanity come to Christ!! Glory to God for His amazing Grace. Help me let go of my prejudices. 

REST

Jesus thank you for loving us all. Thank you for wanting to save us all. Help me be a Christian that gives you glory and puts no stumbling block in front of my brother or sister! You are not bound by anything, you are Almighty!! Heal us all FATHER!! Amen.