Tuesday, March 26, 2013

A Crippled Woman


Luke 13:10-17

Jesus, moved with pity did not wait for the woman to ask to be healed.  He welcomed the opportunity to show compassion. For this act of compassion, the religious elites confront Jesus. What was Jesus’ crime? He dared to perform a miracle on the Sabbath.  These hypocrites were known to make Sabbath day exceptions for a donkey or ox that needed feed and water. But for Jesus, to perform acts of compassion and mercy on the Sabbath was greeted with indignation. 

Jesus addressed this act of mercy as a confrontation with the Devil. For eighteen long years the devil had keep this daughter of Abraham in bondage. Now she was set free on the Sabbath.   God had made His promise that the descendants of Abraham would be blessed. He had promised that the Sabbath day would be filled with blessings. She must be healed, because the mercy of God will not allow Satan to have control over this woman forever. Enough is enough! Now Jesus must act. And the end result of all this – Jesus opponents are humiliated, the people are delighted with the wonderful things Jesus was doing. 

Almighty and everlasting God, grant us grace so to pass through this holy time of our Lord’s Passion that we may receive the pardon of our sins; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Collect for Tuesday in Holy Week, Lutheran Worship © 1980 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

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