Topical Encyclopedia Biblical Account:The account of Jesus healing a disabled woman is found in the Gospel of Luke, specifically in Luke 13:10-17. This narrative highlights Jesus' compassion and authority over physical ailments, as well as His challenge to the prevailing religious norms of His time. Context and Setting: The event takes place in a synagogue on the Sabbath, a day of rest and worship for the Jewish people. Jesus was teaching in the synagogue, a common practice during His ministry, where He often engaged with the people and addressed their spiritual and physical needs. The Miracle: In Luke 13:11-13 , the text states: "And there was a woman who had been disabled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, He called her over and said, 'Woman, you are set free from your disability.' Then He laid His hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and began to glorify God." This passage reveals several key elements of Jesus' healing ministry: 1. Compassion: Jesus notices the woman and calls her to Himself, demonstrating His deep compassion for those who suffer. 2. Authority: By declaring her freedom from the disability and laying His hands on her, Jesus exercises His divine authority over physical and spiritual afflictions. 3. Immediate Healing: The woman's immediate recovery underscores the power and effectiveness of Jesus' miraculous works. Reaction and Controversy: The healing provokes a reaction from the synagogue leader, who is indignant because Jesus healed on the Sabbath. In Luke 13:14 , the leader says, "There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days and not on the Sabbath." Jesus responds in Luke 13:15-16 , "You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or donkey from the stall and lead it to water? Then should not this daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound for eighteen long years, be released from her bondage on the Sabbath day?" Theological Implications: 1. Sabbath Understanding: Jesus challenges the legalistic interpretation of the Sabbath, emphasizing that acts of mercy and compassion align with God's intentions for the day of rest. 2. Spiritual Warfare: Jesus identifies the woman's condition as a result of spiritual bondage, highlighting His mission to liberate humanity from the power of Satan. 3. Daughter of Abraham: By referring to the woman as a "daughter of Abraham," Jesus affirms her worth and inclusion in the covenant community, countering any societal or religious marginalization. Public Response: The narrative concludes with the crowd rejoicing at the glorious things Jesus was doing, as stated in Luke 13:17 : "When He said this, all His adversaries were humiliated, and the whole crowd rejoiced at all the glorious things He was doing." This response reflects the growing recognition of Jesus' authority and the joy that His works of healing and liberation brought to the people. The account of Jesus healing the disabled woman serves as a powerful testament to His compassion, authority, and the transformative impact of His ministry. |