Straight and Tall

Straight and Tall

(Luke 13:10-17)

Yearly Theme:  “Kindness is… Astounding”

Series Title:  “Kindness 24/7”

October 22^nd, 2023

Something to think about:

Outrage is all the rage in our current cultural climate.  The sad reality about this is that it distracts way too often from the truth.  In addition, way too many Christians get caught up in the outrage without even considering the validity of the accusations being made. 

In Jesus’ day and age, outrage often (and sadly) came from the religious leaders in the local synagogues and places of study, prayer, and worship (like the Temple in Jerusalem).  Instead of focusing on the intent of the law as given by GOD, they added man-made rules to GOD’s law and imposed many other restrictions on the people that were not only unwarranted but also very burdensome.

Today, we come to another passage of the healing ministry of Jesus.  As was often the case, He came in direct conflict with the religious leaders who became outraged by His ministry and miracles.  After healing a woman who was bent over for 18 years, the leader of the synagogue where Jesus was condemned not only Jesus, but the woman and anyone who would come to the synagogue seeking healing on the Sabbath.  Let’s take a closer look:

Luke 13:10-17 (NLT),

¹⁰ One Sabbath day as Jesus was teaching in a synagogue, ¹¹ he saw a woman who had been crippled by an evil spirit.  She had been bent double for eighteen years and was unable to stand up straight.  ¹² When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Dear woman, you are healed of your sickness!”  ¹³ Then he touched her, and instantly she could stand straight.  How she praised God!

¹⁴ But the leader in charge of the synagogue was indignant that Jesus had healed her on the Sabbath day.  “There are six days of the week for working,” he said to the crowd.  “Come on those days to be healed, not on the Sabbath.”

¹⁵ But the Lord replied, “You hypocrites!  Each of you works on the Sabbath day!  Don’t you untie your ox or your donkey from its stall on the Sabbath and lead it out for water?  ¹⁶ This dear woman, a daughter of Abraham, has been held in bondage by Satan for eighteen years.  Isn’t it right that she be released, even on the Sabbath?”

¹⁷ This shamed his enemies, but all the people rejoiced at the wonderful things he did.

Here’s the point…

Key Point:  “True kindness knows no bounds.”

What is the process that Jesus took in healing this woman and how does it contrast with the leader of the synagogue where this miracle happened?

• Jesus  her. 

Luke 13:10-12 (NLT),  ¹⁰ One Sabbath day as Jesus was teaching in a synagogue, ¹¹ he saw a woman who had been crippled by an evil spirit.  She had been bent double for eighteen years and was unable to stand up straight.  ¹² When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Dear woman, you are healed of your sickness!” 

• Jesus  her.

Luke 13:13 (NLT),  Then he touched her, and instantly she could stand straight.  How she praised God!

• Jesus  her. 

Luke 13:14-17 (NLT),  ¹⁴ But the leader in charge of the synagogue was indignant that Jesus had healed her on the Sabbath day.  “There are six days of the week for working,” he said to the crowd.  “Come on those days to be healed, not on the Sabbath.”

¹⁵ But the Lord replied, “You hypocrites!  Each of you works on the Sabbath day!  Don’t you untie your ox or your donkey from its stall on the Sabbath and lead it out for water?  ¹⁶ This dear woman, a daughter of Abraham, has been held in bondage by Satan for eighteen years.  Isn’t it right that she be released, even on the Sabbath?”

¹⁷ This shamed his enemies, but all the people rejoiced at the wonderful things he did.

Something to take home:

So, who are we in this story?  Are we the synagogue leader, outraged by Jesus setting a woman free from an 18-year-old illness, or are we more like Christ, compassionately looking at a woman in need and doing something about it?

Kindness does the right thing no matter the situation.  Regardless of the supposed rules and regulations of society, following GOD’s rules and standards would never keep us from extending love and help to those in need.  Just like Jesus’ healing the woman on the Sabbath who had been crippled for 18 years, we too should go beyond our uncomfortableness, pride, and unwillingness to share the love of GOD by assisting those who have been created in the image of GOD.

Key Point:  “True kindness knows no bounds.”