devotional post # 1,992

Luke 13:10-17

Luk 13:10 Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath,
Luk 13:11 and a woman was there who had been disabled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten herself up completely.
Luk 13: 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her to him and said, “Woman, you are freed from your debility.”
Luk 13: 13 Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.
Luk 13: 14 But the president of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the crowd, “There are six days on which work should be done! So come and be healed on those days, and not on the Sabbath day.”
Luk 13: 15 Then the Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from its stall, and lead it to water?
Luk 13: 16 Then shouldn’t this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be released from this imprisonment on the Sabbath day?”
Luk 13: 17 When he said this all his opponents were humiliated, but the entire crowd was jubilant at all the wonderful things he was doing.

seek freedom every day

Rather than addressing Jesus openly with his criticism, this synagogue leader shouted his complaint to the crowd who were seeking him. He had no problem with with them except that they were choosing to seek freedom on a day that was officially set aside for bondage. No, Jesus said, that is hypocrisy, because even the legalists set their animals free on this day so that they could drink at the stall. Every day is freedom day.

LORD, we celebrate your grace and power — open 24/7.