Bible In A Year | Read: Luke 13
10 On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, 11 and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” 13 Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God. 14 Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue leader said to the people, “There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.” 15 The Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Doesn’t each of you on the Sabbath untie your ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? 16 Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?” 17 When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing. Luke 13:10-17
Overview of Chapter
Just like us, Jesus’ disciples are disturbed by events in which seemingly innocent people die in unfortunate ways. Jesus uses this to teach that everyone will eventually die, and it is best to be in a good relationship with God. Luke then begins to tell of the ways Jesus was warning the Jews that they do not have exclusive access to God. The fig tree was not safe just because it was a fig tree – it needed to bear fruit. People are not safe just because they come from a good religious background – they need to have a relationship with Jesus. Jesus is going to call people from far and wide regardless of their history.
It’s good to know we have access to God regardless of our background. It’s what enables any of us to trust Christ and receive all the benefits of a relationship with God. But there is a warning here not to take our relationship with God for granted. We have it based on our trust in Jesus, not because it is owed to us.
Thoughts on the verses
Despite all He has done and taught, Jewish religious leaders still fail to understand the character of God’s kingdom. Jesus wonderfully heals a woman who has been crippled by a spirit for 18 years (v. 11). Rather than rejoicing at Jesus’ power and grace, a synagogue leader complains because He has performed this good deed on the Sabbath. Jesus rebukes him for his hypocrisy. There is no more appropriate day to do good than on the Sabbath.
Action Steps
Bible: What is God showing me? What am I going to do about it?
Bless: Serve one person through word, action, or gift today.
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