Sermon by Mike Stutso, Deacon In Training, 8/21/2022, Luke 13:10-17
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.
To work or not to work – that is the question: weather ‘tis nobler in the mind. No, no, no wait a minute, wrong story, that is Hamlet not Luke. Sorry for the confusion, yeah, right y’all know me and we’ll get to the meat of this story together.
In Luke’s Gospel, it appears that from about Jesus’ 30th birthday, Luke was not very forthcoming on where Jesus was including where was he is today, we just know it is one of the synagogues. We may not know where he was unless we read all the Gospels, but we sure know where he is headed, he is going to fulfill prophecy in Jerusalem. So, Jesus is in a synagogue teaching, now where else would we expect Jesus to be on the Sabbath?
Remember this is the same Jesus at the age of 12 that did not leave with his parents during Passover in Jerusalem but went back to the temple to listen, learn and teach and it says they were amazed at his knowledge. I wish at my age I understood Torah as well as he did at age 12!
So here is Jesus a man on a mission because he knew he had a limited time to get all his teachin’ and preachin’ in before his ministry on earth was over. Let’s face it, they weren’t doing a real good job following Torah, when you think about it how would you rate the world’s performance today? I was asked that question recently and I said well, God did make it rain for a few days a while back and then there was Sodom and Gomorrah, so are we any better off today?? I hope for all of us we are doing a better job.
Now can we talk a bit about this poor woman with no name? It says she appears with a spirit that had crippled her for 18 years! Man, I feel for her because when you think about life spans back then that would mean most of her life was spent in this condition, but she appears, and I have a question.
Was she there because word had gotten out about this young prophet and preacher was going to be at the synagogue on that particular Sabbath preaching the word of God because she is a religious person? But we all know that the word is out that this Jesus of Nazareth is out there performing miracles and stirring things up. I love how Jesus could really rile up the Pharisee, scribes and those who are hard core follows of Torah. I know I love to stir things up and I must be doing it pretty well according to some of the names I’ve been called, but I could take lessons from Jesus, he did it for the world.
But back to our woman, maybe this was a chance encounter with Jesus. I believe we all have experienced those types of encounters. I know I did when I met my wife, it was a situation that probably shouldn’t have occurred, but it did. We just don’t know if she was there for teachin’ or preachin’, either way she is there, and it describes her health condition.
The important thing is Jesus sees her, and obviously I had a few thoughts.
#1, it doesn’t say she asked or begged for help, so did Jesus see her as a good person in a bad place and deserved God’s help?
#2, is this the opportunity for Jesus to drive his teaching point home by showing God’s mercy and love?
#3, Is Jesus going to use this as a teaching for the benefit of the Pharisees because we know he knows Torah and what he’s about to do could be considered blasphemy or a violation of the written laws of the Torah which could be punishable by death?
Finally, #4, is it a chance for Jesus to do battle with Satan and free a good person and their soul.
Myself, I believe it to be all of the above.
So, Jesus acts on what he sees and calls her over. Now, let’s talk about Jesus’ saying “Woman”, oh no Jesus went there but we know that was common back then. I’ve read that was a sign of recognition and respect. He even called his own mom Woman a couple of times, one being at the wedding at Cana and the other from the cross. Again, we know that women and children didn’t count for much back then.
Now due to my southern roots and military upbringing, I would have said: Excuse me ma’am, could I have a minute of your time, please? I think that would work. If we address someone that way now, you might just hear, I know you ain’t talking to me.
So, he heals her without any questions or concerns and let’s face it, Jesus knew all along what he was going to do. What does it say she immediately stands up straight? What I would have done to have been there to witness this whole act of love and then what does she do next, praises God. This is a person who knows exactly where this miracle comes from. This is where the real story and lesson begins because everyone in the synagogue has seen what Jesus has done and they all know there is no work on the Sabbath according to Torah or is there?
Jesus has just challenged the existing regime, the normal of everything devout Jews believed in according to all the teachings of leaders in Torah. Jesus did this by showing his compassion, love and healing powers of his Father.
We all know that there are two sides to every story, so if y’all don’t mind I’ll take the Pharisees side for the moment, although I agree with Jesus’ teachings. This could be defended in a couple different ways. The first if they are truly devout Jews who follow Torah to letter of the law then it is a violation of Torah to work. I refer you to Exodus 20:10 and 31:14-15, Leviticus 23:3 and Deuteronomy 5:14 and I know there are probably other areas but I’m not writing a book here. Second, the fact that the Pharisees, leaders and scribes’ position of power, their lifestyles and social status is seriously being challenged.
This is a direct threat to everything they know and have been teaching according to their interpretation of Torah and why? Because they have never been told any differently, Jesus is the first person to really try to enlighten them to the intention of the law.
So, Jesus yet again tries to explain it to them, and I refer you again back to the Bible in today’s reading vs 15 with the oxen and donkeys then Luke 6:6-11 and Luke 14:1-6, plus we all know there are numerous examples throughout the New Testament.
This is a clear case to me of the letter of the law vs the intent of the law, as I said I accept Jesus’ way. I also love how Jesus appeals to their common sense in vs. 16, Jesus is stating that she is a daughter of Abraham; one of God’s chosen a Jew whom Satan has attacked. But when Jesus frees her it’s more than just her body, he has freed her mind and soul from the Devil’s control.
So, when you think about it a miracle on the Sabbath is there any better time than this to teach, preach, and show the love of our creator? Then we close with the leaders were shamed and the people were happy.
So again, I ask you, to work or not to work, I believe we answered that question.
AMEN