Essay: Healing and Touching Lives-revised version

Healing and Touching Lives

 

“And he [Jesus] was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. 

And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.

And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.

And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.

And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.

The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?

And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?

And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.”  (Luke 13:10-17)

 

   Job was a man who was “…perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.” (Job 1:1) Satan asked God to let him do his dirty work in Job’s life. He could not do it without God’s permission. God gave it. The devil torpedoed Job’s finances and health, massacred his servants, and killed his seven sons. Yet Job said, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him:” (Job 13:15) Job did not quit on God.

In a sense, the lady in our story was like Job. Even in her difficult condition, she did not quit on God. She was in the place of worship. God may allow difficult events in our lives, but He can also give grace to help us. Paul had an infirmity that he called “…a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me,” (2 Corinthians 12:7) He asked Jesus to remove it. Jesus didn’t, but He said, “My grace is sufficient for thee:” (2 Corinthians 12:9) Jesus gave Paul grace and contentment that the infirmity was in His will.

When Jesus healed the lady, she glorified God. People were thrilled. Then the ruler of the synagogue stepped in and complained about Jesus healing on the sabbath. He did not seem to care that the lady was healed of this horrible condition. He cared more about accusing Jesus of violating the sabbath.

Jesus put the ruler in his place by saying that if people took care of animals on the sabbath, taking care of people is so much more important. Another time He was accused of violating the sabbath and replied, “That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.” (Luke 6:5) By saying this, He was declaring He is God and is the Messiah. He instituted the sabbath, He is in charge of it, and He can do with it as He sees fit.

In a way, the devil’s work in the ruler’s life was worse than in the lady’s. Her condition was awful, but his rejection of Jesus was far worse. By rejecting Jesus, he was in danger of eternal hell. Yet after Jesus spoke, “…all his adversaries were ashamed:” It was good that they were ashamed. They saw they were in the wrong. So there was hope for them. When you are ashamed of something that you’ve done and your conscience bothers you, that’s good. It means you see the truth and your need to obey it.

If you don’t know Jesus as Saviour, the most important truth is the truth of your need for Him to save you. Jesus touched the lady’s life by healing her. He also touched the ruler’s heart by making him see he was in the wrong. It was said of Jesus, “This man receiveth sinners,” (Luke 15:2) If you will receive Jesus as Saviour for forgiveness of your sins and eternal life, He will receive you. Please go to www.clevelandbaptist.org(opens in new tab), click “Helpful Links,” then “How Do I Go to Heaven?” to learn more.

Brian Miller 8/25/2026