Pam's Perambulation

Healing a Woman on the Sabbath

¹⁰ One Sabbath, Jesus was teaching in a Jewish meeting place, ¹¹ and a woman was there who had been crippled by an evil spirit for eighteen years. She was completely bent over and could not straighten up. ¹² When Jesus saw the woman, he called her over and said, “You are now well.” ¹³ He placed his hands on her, and right away she stood up straight and praised God.

¹⁴ The man in charge of the meeting place was angry because Jesus had healed someone on the Sabbath. So he said to the people, “Each week has six days when we can work. Come and be healed on one of those days, but not on the Sabbath.”

¹⁵ The Lord replied, “Are you trying to fool someone? Won’t any one of you untie your ox or donkey and lead it out to drink on a Sabbath? ¹⁶ This woman belongs to the family of Abraham, but Satan has kept her bound for eighteen years. Isn’t it right to set her free on the Sabbath?” ¹⁷ Jesus’ words made his enemies ashamed. But everyone else in the crowd was happy about the wonderful things he was doing.

Do you know what day it is?

What do you think you’re doing?

Aren’t there six days you can be doing the things you need to?  Today is for resting. For focussing on God.  For hearing his voice.  We like to keep it special.

You don’t get it do you?

You don’t understand what is God’s work – and what isn’t.  You make your rules.  You think they make you safe.  But you have no idea about what really matters.

Do you care for your livestock on the Sabbath?  Or do you leave them to go hungry and cooped up?  Restricted, thirsty and bound?

This woman was bound.  She has been for so many years.  You don’t think freeing her is the work of God?  You don’t think that is the right thing to do?  Should I leave her crippled and bent, because you don’t think it is my place or the right time and place to free her?

I’m afraid God doesn’t work by your rules.  He doesn’t keep within the parameters you have marked out.

God is God.  Today is his today.  He plays by his rules, not yours.

Forgive me Lord
The times I have tried to restrict you,
to make you play by my rules,
when really all the rules are yours.

Forgive me
when I would rather see things done the “right” way
than your way.

Forgive me for not seeing clearly,
for not hearing strongly,
for not being willing to let you have your way.

Today Lord,
may there be freedom
and release
for all who need it.

Meet me in my need
I pray