He was teaching in one of the meeting places on the Sabbath. There was a woman present, so twisted and bent over with arthritis that she couldn’t even look up. She had been afflicted with this for eighteen years.

  (Luke 13:10-11, MSG)

We continue this week on our journey through Lent with the theme “Everything Changes.”  So far we have witnessed the life changing encounters with Jesus and the leper, the demon possessed man and the woman with the issue of blood. Drastic, unbelievable healings that changed lives forever.  They were people of no significance who were not even given a name.  People who were invisible to society, the social outcasts.  Those who resigned themselves to live life alienated from family, alone and afraid. 

Our encounter this week takes place in the Temple as Jesus was teaching one Sabbath. It is a remarkable story as Jesus sees, touches and heals a bent woman.   It is a story of compassion as Jesus heals her on the Sabbath despite the laws that forbid such things.  You can read her story in Luke 13:10-17.

Are you a rule breaker?  Do you always do what is expected of you?  Have you ever deliberately broken a rule?  I am a rule follower.  I am not a risk taker.  I have always done my best to do as I am told, to follow the rules set before me and not cause problems.  In fact, I am a person who likes rules, I feel safe when guidelines are in place and I know what is expected of me.  I have always tried my best to follow the rules.  I might dabble on the edge of a rule, 5 miles over the speed limit, every now and then…but I never blatantly break a rule (without a good reason.) 

Jesus’ act of compassion broke the rules!  No working on the Sabbath.  I love that Jesus challenges the authorities at the Temple by redirecting their hardline rules with a question about compassion.  This woman had been suffering with her condition for eighteen years and that day Jesus saw her, invited her over, and set her free from her infliction.  Wow!

Can you imagine witnessing that interaction and then hearing the rule-police call him on it?  Did they even see what occurred, or did they only gather more fuel for their plot against Jesus?  Which brings to mind this question for us to ponder…How might we act more out of compassion and less as sticklers for the rules?  Jesus saw the bent woman, had compassion and acted accordingly.  May we too, think with our hearts first.

Blessings,
Pastor Jenni

When Jesus saw her, he called her over. “Woman, you’re free!” He laid hands on her and suddenly she was standing straight and tall, giving glory to God.

(Luke 13:12, MSG)