In the Gospel lesson this weekend, Jesus heals a woman “with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight.” Jesus heals her on the Sabbath, which causes a stir among those who take offense at Jesus’ breach of the law. The religious leader is indignant. The interpretation of the law in that day, limited activity on the sabbath. Jesus asks the question of how their interpretation of the sabbath law applies to the care for their cattle, “and ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham and Sarah whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the Sabbath day?”
There are many reasons we find ourselves “bent over and quite unable to stand up straight.” Life has a way of layering on the burdens, causing our gaze to only be able to see what is immediately in front of us and not to the more expansive horizon. Life can also shape our world views, limiting our vision in such narrow ways that we cannot see the suffering who are right in front of us.
Thankfully, Jesus comes to heal everyone, the women “bent over” and the indignant religious leader. Standing up straight by God’s grace, we see the horizon and all the beloved of God who are right in front of us. We can hope that the eyes of the woman and the religion leader met. Standing up, face-to-face, they beheld the wonder of God’s healing presence in both of their lives.
Yours in Christ Jesus,
Pastor Peter