A Hunchback is Healed
Introduction
Jesus uses the word hypocrite
Why on this occasion?
The pharisee was more concerned about an animal that a woman!
A woman hunchbacked for 18 years
The pharisee was incensed that Jesus had healed on the sabbath
He had not pity and love for the woman
Hypocrites
Our politicians – example
More concerned with breaking social distancing than breaking marriage vows
No real concern for the families involved
Overview:
Commitment
Compassion
Confrontation
These three words sum up what happens when God is working
They also ask questions of us
Commitment
Maybe the one thing lacking in many churches today
Commitment to the regular worship of the living God
Many put family first
Many are ‘individualists’
A difficult journey for this woman – explanation
Her condition was stigmatised
She was vulnerable
There were many things that would block her journey to worship at the temple – but she overcame through her commitment
She was going to honour God and received a great blessing
Was she expecting Jesus to be there?
How many excuses we make?
Are we like those of Luke 14:16-20
We know there are legitimate reasons why some people cannot attend
Yet there are those who could come but have no desire to do so
What blessings they miss out on
Imagine if the woman had not gone to the synagogue that day
Example of the faithful
Compassion
Why has Jesus come to her village/her synagogue?
There she experienced the compassion of Jesus Christ
Jesus sees this woman and He calls her forward – imagine that
v11 – her condition present for 18 years, unable to stand up straight – a severe problem with her spine
Jesus heals her – He speaks to her and touchs her
We cannot demonstrate physical love and affection during the pandemic
v13 – she was immediately healed
Example of young woman at Wimbledon
This woman – far greater, praise for Almighty God
The multitude also rejoicing
A divine encounter – the Lord Jesus decided to go to this synagogue and heal her
v16 – not just medical but spiritual
She was bound under Satan
Some form of satanic oppression
She was released from her spiritual condition also
He did this with a word – all she had to do was come to Him
We must come to the feet of Jesus for spiritual healing
The wonderful message of Christianity is to come in your debilitating sin and He shall forgive you
Quote from Isaiah – He came to see the bound free
Do you acknowledge your sin and your need for a Saviour?
Do you see Jesus’ compassion?
Do you see God singling you out?
Worship God with a full heart
Confrontation
v14 – the Pharisee was indignant
A professional clergyman but not concerned about people
He was doing his job making sure they stuck to the rules and his interpretation of the law
Being merciful was never banned
The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the sabbath
It was given for the benefit of God’s people
Churches will always face confrontation and oppression
Jesus answers this
She is a daughter of Abraham
This is a wonderful miracle
We must never assume that advances in the work of God will not be accompanied by some form of opposition
Satan does not want God’s work to go ahead
We must not fear this
God can turn evil for good
We must not feel down but remember the praise of the multitudes – v17
The adversaries were put the shame
The multitudes rejoice – so to must we rejoice in God
Closing Remarks