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? Luke 13:16
I encourage you to read verses 10-17. It was the sabbath (Saturday, as celebrating resurrection had not begun,) and Jesus was teaching in the synagogue. A crippled woman came to Him and He immediately healed her. The synagogue pharisee was enraged! Why? Because someone sick was made well? Because Satan’s grasp was broken? Because a great victory had been won? No! Because He felt robbed of his authority. It seems miracles were only allowed on his schedule and by his power! Pretty sad.
Jesus’ response calls attention to two things. First, the work of the Kingdom is not work but joyful, loving service. It’s a matter of heart, not sweat. Second, people matter a lot! If you take better care of your oxen than you do your neighbor, well…………… OH! And don’t forget the flip side, God doesn’t like it when you’re neglected or abused either, so rest easy, He is loving you big!
Jesus came to set His children free from whatever ills bind them. It is not His labor, inconvenience or disgust. It is His loving choice and even more important than making stars explode gazillions of light years away, just so we have something new to wonder about every once in a while. You are very loved, so be sure to pass it around.
Love,
Gretchen