Jesus, the bondage breaker
“… should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham,
whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years,
be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?" (Luke 13:16)
In this year of the theme ‘Grace upon Grace for Progress’,we are reminded that in this real world God’s power is at work, and has been and will be manifested in visible tangible signs and progress indicators. Effective service and growth, even for a united force, will be heightened and sustained when God’s power is at work through them; this may be through the abundant special gifts God has given to each one, or through miraculous interventions in physical health, career, infrastructure, estates, or even in the cosmic operations. Testimonies are abundant among us of divine healings, shrines catching fire as a result of prayers, and galactic discoveries that reveal the lively greatness of our God.
In Luke 13:10-17, we have a story of Jesus breaking two bondages. One was more conspicuous – the spirit that rendered a woman crippled, bent over and walking at an angle; but the second bondage was more subtle – the Sabbath culture that blinded people from seeing Jesus their true Sabbath. ‘On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years.’ (vv.10-11) Thank God even she was here. Jesus not only taught but also demonstrated his power by breaking that spirit and setting the bound woman free. She had sought help from many corners, even coming for Sabbath teachings for many years, but they had not helped her. Jesus is more than a teacher; He is the bondage breaker. This was a special Sabbath for the woman that received healing and found real peace and rest after Jesus’ intervention.
But that was not the only bondage: The synagogue leader complained about Jesus’ good healing work on the Sabbath! This leader and many others were under the bondage of the law that was a shadow of greater things to come. Honestly, which heartless and uncaring person fails to see and celebrate such a miraculous healing for that woman? Jesus would not spare the law-bondage either; He attacked it squarely, and in one verse we receive the double-edged good news of Jesus setting free both the woman and the law-bound leaders: ‘Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?’ (v.16)
Do you need to be set free? Keep seeking God and do not give up; your healing may come quickly, or you may have to wait for ‘eighteen’ years, but be sure if you do not give up, Jesus will find you and set you free. More so, as leaders and missioners, watch out for and give up legalism bondages; declare God’s Word and freedom in the mighty Name of our Lord Jesus Christ the bondage breaker.
God bless you!