Jesus Heals on the Sabbath
And just like that, we are rolling into the last week of June! We are almost to the halfway point of 2024, which doesn’t really seem possible, but alas, here we are.
I hope the lectio divina practice we’ve done this month has felt restful and unhurried. I thought we’d finish the month with a little longer passage from Luke.
Before you begin reading, find a comfortable position where you can focus on the words and the Holy Spirit without any other distractions. Take a few deep breaths and relax as you settle in today.
Luke 13:10-17 (NASB)
And He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And there was a woman who for eighteen years had had a sickness caused by a spirit; and she was bent double, and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, He called her over and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your sickness.” And He laid His hands on her; and immediately she was made erect again and began glorifying God. But the synagogue official, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, began saying to the crowd in response, “There are six days in which work should be done; so come during them and get healed, and not on the Sabbath day.” But the Lord answered him and said, “You hypocrites, does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the stall and lead him away to water him? And this woman, a daughter of Abraham as she is, who Satan has bound for eighteen long years, should she not have been released from this bond on the Sabbath day?” As He said this, all His opponents were being humiliated; and the entire crowd was rejoicing over all the glorious things being done by Him.
As you read these words, what stood out to you? What words or phrases caught your attention? What feels important as you read this passage today? When you are ready, reread these words, but notice the translation is a bit different this time.
Luke 13:10-17 (CSB)
As he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath, a woman was there who had been disabled by a spirit for over eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, he called out to her, “Woman, you are free of your disability.” Then he laid his hands on her, and instantly she was restored and began to glorify God. But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, responded by telling the crowd, “There are six days when work should be done; therefore come on those days and be healed and not on the Sabbath day.” But the Lord answered him and said, “Hypocrites! Doesn’t each one you untie his ox or donkey from the feeding trough on the Sabbath and lead it to water? Satan has bound this woman, a daughter of Abraham, for eighteen years - shouldn’t she be untied from bondage on the Sabbath day?” When he had said these things, all his adversaries were humiliated, but the whole crowd was rejoicing over all the glorious things he was doing.
What is the Holy Spirit inviting you to notice today? What can’t you shake as you sit with these words? When you are ready, read these words again, but again, observe the difference in translation.
Luke 13:10-17 (The Bible for Everyone)
One sabbath, Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues. There was a woman there who had a spirit of weakness for eighteen years. She was bent double, and couldn’t stand fully upright. Jesus saw her and called to her. ‘Woman,’ he said, laying his hands on her, ‘you are freed from your affliction.’ And at once she stood upright, and praised God. The synagogue president was angry that Jesus had healed on the sabbath. ‘Look here,’ he said to the crowd, ‘there are six days for people to work! Come on one of those days and be healed, not on the sabbath day!’ ‘You bunch of hypocrites!’ replied Jesus. ‘You would all be quite happy to untie an ox or a donkey from its stall on the sabbath day and lead it out for a drink! And isn’t it right that this daughter of Abraham, tied up by the satan for these eighteen years, should be untied from her chains on the sabbath day?’ At that, all the people who had been opposing him were ashamed. The whole crowd was overjoyed at all the splendid things he was doing.
Did different words or phrases stand out as you read the various translations? Take some time today and talk with God about the things you have noticed or feel curious about. Don’t rush. Linger here for however much time you can allow today.
As you finish out this month of June, what has your experience been with this lectio divina practice? I have practiced this unhurried way of engaging with Scripture for years now, and no matter what kind of season I am in, these slow, prayerful readings help me encounter God with wonder and curiosity. Have they felt hopeful for you as well?
~ Melissa