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Luke 13:10-17 (Common English Bible)
10 Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11 A woman was there who had been disabled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and couldn’t stand up straight. 12 When he saw her, Jesus called her to him and said, “Woman, you are set free from your sickness.” 13 He placed his hands on her and she straightened up at once and praised God.
14 The synagogue leader, incensed that Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, responded, “There are six days during which work is permitted. Come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath day.”
15 The Lord replied, “Hypocrites! Don’t each of you on the Sabbath untie your ox or donkey from its stall and lead it out to get a drink? 16 Then isn’t it necessary that this woman, a daughter of Abraham, bound by Satan for eighteen long years, be set free from her bondage on the Sabbath day?” 17 When he said these things, all his opponents were put to shame, but all those in the crowd rejoiced at all the extraordinary things he was doing.
Summary:
Based on John Wesley’s General Rules for Christian Living our worship series for August is themed, The Blueprint: A Guide to Follow Jesus. We are exploring a “blueprint” of what it is to be followers of Jesus Christ.
In this scripture, Jesus frees a woman who had been fighting to stand straight for 18 years. While some said it was an inappropriate time for the “work” of healing, Jesus says there is no better time than the Sabbath. Through the Sabbath, we show our love for God by making time for God. When we observe the Sabbath, God shows love toward us by sparking healing, wholeness and justice in us. The Sabbath is not ultimately about what we don’t do, but about what we allow the Holy Spirit to do in us. Love God and let God love you!
Reflection Questions:
- What does Sabbath mean for you?
- What do you do to observe the Sabbath? What do you not do to observe the sabbath?
- How has God blessed you when you observe the sabbath?