In Luke 13:10, we are introduced to a woman who has been crippled for 18 years. The disability that she had caused her body to be bent over. She couldn’t straighten up at all. Can you imagine spending a good portion of your life looking at your feet? I know what my feet look like, and unless I had a really nice pedicure every so often…eek! Know what I mean?
In case you don’t know this story from the bible, here it is. It was the Sabbath, and Jesus was teaching in one of the synogogues. While he was teaching there, a woman was listening from the side of the room. She had been crippled for 18 years. She was bent over and couldn’t striaghten up. Jesus saw her and called her to him. He said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity” and he put his hands on her and immediately she straightened up and praised God.
Even though this is a short little viniette, a few things really stick out to me. First of all, can you imagine the life this woman has led? Having to look down at the dirt all the time, never seeing a smiling face, never looking someone right in the eye when you talk to them. It must have been pretty depressing for her. I can’t imagine anyone would go out of their way to talk to her. It’s kind of awkward to not be able to see who you are talking to.
This woman is a lot like us if you think about it. She had never seen Jesus, but had heard of him. She probably had heard of miracles that he had done. She obviously visited the synogogue to listen to the reading of the Torah and the explanations the leaders of the church. Women were always to sit on the outskirts of the synogogue on benches. She came to hear Jesus. He must have taken pity on her, because he called her to come to him. Or maybe since she couldn’t see where she was going, maybe he came and helped her to the front where he healed her. And he healed her on the sabbath!!
Imagine what opportunities Jesus opened up for her. Of course she rejoiced and praised God. Her life was forever changed. Just like our life is forever changed when we trust in the Lord Jesus Christ to meet our needs. What infirmity is crippling your life? It doesn’t have to be a physical ailment, but is there something in your life that is causing you to constantly look down on life when you should be looking up to Christ? Let this woman remind you that when you feel that you are at your lowest in life, call on Jesus to help lift you up. Rejoice in the Lord for he is good and his mercy endures forever!
Christian Nymphos 