Scripture Text (NRSV)
Luke 13:10-17
13:10 Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.
13:11 And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had
crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite
unable to stand up straight.
13:12 When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, "Woman, you
are set free from your ailment."
13:13 When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up
straight and began praising God.
13:14 But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had
cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, "There are six days on
which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not
on the sabbath day."
13:15 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 manger,
and lead it away to give it water?
13:16 And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan
bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the
sabbath day?"
13:17 When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame;
and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he
was doing.
Comments:
I wonder what was going through the mind of the synagogue leader? Did
he act out of fear that tradition may be threatened? Was he jealous of
Jesus? Did he not care about those who suffered illness?
Another paradox to me is that he obviously believed in Jesus' gift of
divine healing, but he also believed that Jesus was misusing this
"power?" In other words, if God were to view this as an act of sin (to
heal on the Sabbath) why did he believe that God would still grant
this healing through the hands of Jesus?
Early Musings...
There are several themes in this one that a preacher could utilize for
sermon material . . .
1. I find it interesting that this is one of the very few (maybe the
only?) times that Jesus does NOT indicate that the person's faith
initiated her healing. He simply healed her without being asked. This
is different from the story about the Syro-Phoenician woman (or
Canaanite woman, whichever translation you use), who conversed
(argued?) with Jesus for awhile and had to really demonstrate her
faith and use her intelligence to initiate the healing of her
daughter.
2. Also, he called her "daughter of Abraham" -- I think maybe that was
not "done" in those days. There were "sons of Abraham" to show their
membership in the faith and culture, and women belonged to the men,
but "daughter of Abraham" indicates his support of her ability to
inherit the promise of Abraham, therefore her equality as a human! I
know there are resources "out there" to develop this idea more fully.
3. I like the reference to her healing being like giving an animal
water -- that substance without which a living being cannot live.
4. Of course, the justice aspect of whether to follow the "letter of
the law" by NOT working on the Sabbath, or the "intent of the law" by
performing the holy task of restoring wholeness (holiness) to someone
in need on the very day we set aside for intentional worship, praise,
connection to our God.
I love this! --Lois in Portland
I read some commentary on this passage once. Sorry I don't remember
where it was from or who wrote it. It made reference to the different
explanations/interpretations in Exodus and Deuteronomy about the
Sabbath commandment. Exodus says:
Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy. Six days you shall labor
and do all your work. But the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD
your God; you shall not do any work--you, your son or your daughter,
your male or female slave, your livestock, or the alien resident in
your towns. For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea,
and all that is in them, but rested the seventh day; therefore the
LORD blessed the sabbath day and consecrated it.
Here it is tied to God's rest on the seventh day of creation.
Deuteronomy says:
Observe the sabbath day and keep it holy, as the LORD your God
commanded you. Six days you shall labor and do all your work. But the
seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God; you shall not do any
work--you, or your son or your daughter, or your male or female slave,
or your ox or your donkey, or any of your livestock, or the resident
alien in your towns, so that your male and female slave may rest as
well as you. Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and
the LORD your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an
outstretched arm; therefore the LORD your God commanded you to keep
the sabbath day.
Here remembering the Sabbath is tied to liberation from slavery.
Jesus' healing of the woman was a liberation, "Woman, you are set free
from your ailment." which is in line with what the Deuteronomy
commandment is about.
Also, she appeared at the synagogue. The posture for prayer was not a
kneeling, bent over posture but an upright posture like our "orans."
He was setting her free to pray with the community that was gathered
there.
Hope that helps someone. I'm not actually preaching this week.
Shalom: Tom in Ontario
Some of my commentaries describe the woman in our scripture reading as
being "bound-up" by her disease. But it has ocurred to me that the
leader of the synagogue was bound-up, too. Only HIS binding came from
what was in his heart. He needed healing just as much as did the
woman. In fact, his disease was probably much more serious, because it
was a disease of the heart and soul.
Just some early week thoughts. This will be my first Sunday doing a
"lectionary" sermon since last spring. I tried an experiment this
summer and asked for topic suggestions from my congregations. I got
some fantastic suggestions. It was fun, but it was a lot more work.
For one thing, I didn't have this site to help me! I had just come
back to this site last spring and was really enjoying it. I'm looking
forward to the discussions again.
Mel in NE
Lois in Portland - Check out Helen Bruch Pearson's "Do What You Have
the Power to Do" for a nifty Bible study on this and others. I don't
have it with me, so I'll have to get back to you.
As a follow-up to last week, THANKS to those who offered help; we had
a WONDERFUL worship! Glad to hear others did, too.
It was a difficult text.
Sally in GA
I'm also looking at it from the perspective of the leader of the
synagogue. What's HIS problem? What's the story behind his response?
Who is he? Why is he so all-or-nothing? What is the good news to him
and to those who are bound by the letter of the law. I suspect he is
as merciless toward himself as he is toward others. What would Jesus
have to say to him, how can this leader be set free? What Word does he
need? Just some early questions... PM in PA
I would like to thank the contributor who gave the reference to C. S.
Lewis' "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe." It gave a really good
emphasis in the homily and the children really listened. Most of them
have read "The Chronicles of Narnia" and were quick to tell me later
that I was wrong in saying that this was the first book in the series.
They give that honor to another volume that takes place earlier. It
proves that they were listening and thankfully they didn't stand up in
the middle of the homily to take issue!
I'm not preaching this week but will be interested in what everyone
has to say on this lection. Thanks Deke in Texas - Pace e Bene
It seems to me that the problem the synagogue leader had was ego. The
Sabbath was his day. He was the Synagogue Leader, and this Jesus was
stealing the attention due him.
If you had worked all week on a really good sermon and then on Sunday
someone stood up in church and did something that actually helped
someone, while you were only going to preach to them about having
patience through their hardships, how would you react? He didn't
complain that she had been healed. He didn't denounce Jesus as
"healing by the power of Beelzebub". He just got a little miffed at
being upstaged.
Ego. We all have some. I have heard a senior pastor, whose ministry
focused on preaching, complain(mildly) that the retired pastor who
serves as Minister of Visitation, going to the hospitals, gets all the
praise. Deeds beat words. Words can be very important. I'm sure that
Jesus praised many a synagogue leader for keeping the Word of God
before the people, but this one needed a reminder that it was "a
sabbath TO THE LORD" and something to praise God about is always in
order. tom in TN(USA)
I'm still working with the leader. Jesus was actually teaching that
day, so he was invited to be the bringer of the Word, so to speak.
Could it be that the leader was afraid Jesus was better than him? He
didn't just stick to the "script" or the liturgy that day, but
interrupted it. I know how I get nervous when something throws the
order of worship off. He was already "out of control" as he'd allowed
Jesus to teach that day, but things just got more out of hand in "his
church". And it worked, too! Must have scared him because he couldn't
do it and he knew it. Was he afraid of loss of position? That the
synagogue folks might say, "Hey, why can't YOU do that?" and then
question his ability? Just some musings... Pm in PA
Wow! Thanks, everyone, for your insights! I haven't been to this site
in months--it's changed a lot (for the better). I especially
appreciated the insight of wholeness/holiness on sabbath, liberation
from slavery, posture for prayer. I haven't much to contribute at this
point, but am focusing on the letter of the law vs. the spirit of the
law. Baptism of non-members' children is always an interesting
conversation. The letter of the law in my denomination is that at
least one parent, or the person with parental responsibility, should
be a member of a christian church (any church--not just ours), because
to baptize an infant is to welcome that child into the church
family/family of God, and the parents and congregation promise to
nurture that child in christian discipleship. That promise may be made
on behalf of the "universal church", or the parents' home church, but
one can't fulfill the promise if the family is not active in a church.
Also, since our understanding of baptism differs from Roman Catholic
(you don't need to be baptized in order to remove original sin), we
constantly explain to parents that it's not necessary "to get the baby
done" in and of itself--the inclusion in the family of God is
stressed. So, if the spirit of the law is inclusion, how can we refuse
to baptize any baby, whether the parents are active, faithful
churchmembers or not? Where do we draw the line? (I'm only raising the
questions here--I have my own answers). I may use this example in the
sermon--but it may be too convoluted or take too long. Any thoughts?
LL in L
Oh, The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe was the first book CS Lewis
wrote in the CHronicles of Narnia. The book that is a "prequel" was
actually written later.
I think the leader of the synagogue just got hung up on the rules.
From his perspective, the woman can come any other day of the week and
get healed, but this is Sabbath, which is not a day for work. Reminds
me of the old "blue laws." People have six other days to shop, etc. -
isn't it important to have one day just for God? Don't we hear similar
arguements about other things - it's a question of the rules getting
in the way of what God wants to do. When the two collide, which one
gives way? Some don't like children's sermons, because they disrupt
the flow of worship - but what is that time for - just adults who want
a nice place to meditate? What if something else disrupts worship -
which is more important? I heard Mike Yakonelli (sp?) tell how a woman
in his congregation who was not used to "how we do things" in church,
raised her hand to ask him a question in the middle of his sermon. A
point he made was unclear to her. How would we respond?
Jesus saw the Sabbath as a day of liberation, thus the point about
their unbinding of the ox, which was work, and God's work of unbinding
this woman. A contemporary figure of speech for getting away from the
rules and back to basic principles is "thinking outside the box." I'm
thinking of using that for my sermon title.
Gary in New Bern
I'd like to chime in from the sidelines to also thank the participants
for the quality offerings in last week's discussion.
This week, as in other lessons wherein Jesus breaks the common
practices and understandings of the Hebrew Scriptures,I am struck with
the neverending religious challenge/debate of deciding to believe
either that the last word about the meaning and purpose of Scripture
has been spoken~ or that the Holy Spirit continues to be at work with
even the printed word.
Earlier in the year,when we were reading about Peter's dream and
Cornelius',Peter was directed to break with his clearly defined
Scriptural texts about "clean and unclean". He acted in opposition to
the Law.
So, again and again with Jesus' ministry, the conventional or literal
readings of Scripture were being set aside or expanded for new
compassionate readings and actions.
It might have been very frightening and confusing for the caretakers
of holy practices to be faced with a flagrant violation of
Scripture... and at the same time seeing a work of compassion. Getting
outraged frequently follows having felt fear.
The emotional content in the lesson is stronger than, "We've never
done it that way before..." but sometimes church systems, pastors,
laity are frightened ("bound"-as suggested)because the possible
consequences of behavioral change, textual reinterpretation, or
compassion, may be worse than their current misery.
socalb
Last week our son broke his arm. He did it "after hours." Six medical
people had to stop what they were doing at home and come in "on call"
to help our son. We, of course, really appreciated it. The system
worked for us. Our son, and caring and helping, was why the system
existed, and was chosen by six professionals who went out of their way
to create an act of medical mercy. I'm wondering about when the system
does not work. In a dysfunctional family, the system fails because the
needs of someone takes priority over the needs of someone else.
Perhaps in Walkerton, Ontario, the system failed. People fell asleep
to the necessity of clean water and kept the system going even though
it wasn't doing what it was set up to do. I like what Barclay writes
about how a government in wartime makes the system more important than
the individuals. People are put into combat to win strategic battles
as leaders focus on the war and forget about the individuals. I wonder
if globalization is putting the system before the needs of
individuals. They aint religious, but the laws that govern the market
place take precident over acts of mercy and means of libertation. The
"system" creates a "thought-system" that prevents leaders of worship
centers and CEO's from seeing both people's needs and freedom and
delieverance. Why is the goal of the system of globalization?
Preaching at Pincher
It seems to me that the leader allowed his traditions to slip into
legalism. Perhaps the proof of this can be seen in his lack of joy for
her healing. I am thinking if he had no joy in her healing he had no
compassion for her suffering.Therefore I am cosidering teaching that
whenever our traditions prevent us from loving others we have allowed
ourselves to slip into legalism. Will this dog hunt? Jay in Rolling
Prairie
I am struck with the fact that it says she was crippled by a spirit.
This was not just a strained back, or calcium dficiency, but also a
state of mind. Her life force had been drained from her. She was
weighed down internally. Maybe that's why she didn't ask to be healed.
She had accepted her condition as inevitable. And people (especially
women) who are bent over today, sometimes don't realize they are bent
over. They just accept their reduced status as "the way things are." I
just finished reading "Memoirs of a Geisha" which is a good example
(although fictitious) of a woman who passively accepted her fate.
Thank you Lois for your comments.
DGinNYC
Monday A.M. I used this in a devotion at a UM nursing home. It occured
to me as I prepared for the devotion, knowing that it would be for all
shunken older women, that this woman was like a lot of the older women
I know and have known. My grandmother, had been almost as tall as I am
now but by the time I reached my present height she was on her way
back down. In her youth she had been a basketball star for her normal
school. I talked about her and about how important she was to me. I
talked about healing and how we receive it in different ways. I
recognized that my grandmother, after a certain point, never stood
tall physically but she did in reality. I love this text because it in
I see that Jesus had attention for one who, if she was so crippled
might have been quite unable to see his face, or anyone's face. The
text reminds us that oesteoporosis (or however you spell it) and
problems like it were known to Jesus then and so are known to God now
too. Just rambling but I can't get the warmth of my grandmother and
others out of my reflections this week.
Avis in KY
I'm thinking about Wesley's writings about prevenient grace...grace
that goes before us. Jesus approaching the woman and healing her
without her even asking freed her to "stand up straight and praise
God," was prevenient grace, wasn't it? And the "stand up straight"
phrase keeps circling around in my brain. What are the things which
cause us to be bent over? Servitude, shame, sadness, being
brow-beaten, guilt...Maybe the leader of the synagogue wasn't used to
such unbridled, "straight up" praise. Still thinking about this. NBC
Preacher
Hi Friends,
Avis, thanks for the warmth of your memories about your grandmother.
My hero - my dad died 3 years ago Thursday. He was crippled by polio
at 8 years of age. He stood about 5'5" - but he was a giant.
I just received and read the little book "Who Moved the Cheese". It is
a very quick read that speaks, I think, to the Synagoge leaders
problem. Have any of you rad the book? i'd enjoy your comments.
Preacher Bill
I think the meaning of this passage is much deeper than an ego problem
(the synagogue leader), or lapsing into legalism. I think that the
vast majority of our congregations need to put themselves in the place
of the synagogue leader. We are not the bent over woman. We are the
one's that think it is normal and natural to have bent over people
walking around. Our privilege depends on certain people remaining bent
over with heavy burdens. Jesus is the arbitor of a new covenant in
which it is not okay for some to carry a disproportionate burden. This
is an oppoturnity for our congregations to look at how much privilege
they have compared to the rest of the world. Why do we think it's okay
to continue with the status quo while people are walking around in
need of liberation? Its a privilege of the few not to work on Sunday.
Its a privilege to be able to say who can be healed and when. We have
the same privilege of determining who will be free and who will not.
E
"Holey" - broken, bent over, needing something to fill that place in
which God's image of power and joy is intended to be. That's the
woman's plight.
"Wholly" - Jesus sees her as a complete person, worthy of his
wholeness, and the heritage of daughter of Abraham. She is restored to
the community, stands up straight, gets on with living.
"Holy" - part of living is being connected to the faith community.
Often that's where we need to go after the above admissions and
interventions occur, but where we least want to go - been there, done
that, those hypocrites. Such is the religious leader's stance, but he
has put the cart before the horse - hasn't recognized his own "holey"
nature, can't receive the "wholly" God created nature. Just wants to
be accepted as "holy".
I think these terms will provide the skeletal framework for my sermon
- then I'll flesh it out with how the intent of Sabbath supercedes the
law of Sabbath.
Good to be part of the conversation with such insightful colleagues!
Peace - MaryBeth on America's Roller Coast
Dear friends, many thanks for the contributions and the blessing you
all have been for my preaching. I am going a slightly different
direction with this passage than what has thus far been shared - maybe
because I'm feeling a bit more sympathetic toward the synagogue
leader. Was he not a son of Abraham, faithful to the word of God as he
understood it?
The conflict in my view comes from a difference in the understanding
of healing. For the leader, healing was a "work", therefore doing so
on the Sabbath was in contradiction to the Torah. For Jesus, healing
is about liberation, unbinding. I think we also struggle with a clear
understanding of healing in our day as well. Too often we lapse into
thinking it is a "magic trick", something we manipulate God into doing
for us. In the Gospels, Jesus' healings point beyond themselves; they
are a "sign" (to use John's word) of a larger liberation and
restoration to wholeness that will come at the completion of the
kingdom when Jesus returns.
The woman who was healed probably got sick again later, and certainly
she died at some point after this episode. Physical healing is not
permanent. So why does Jesus heal her? Perhaps so she could respond
exactly as she did - by praising God. The healing is less about relief
from suffering than it is about liberation and the larger context of
salvation. It also shows Jesus' ultimate power over the one who had
her in his grip - namely, Satan. Perhaps the problem of the synagogue
leader was not emotional or psychological, but that (like us!) he had
not thought deeply enough about the meaning of healing.
Shalom, Bo in KY
I so appreciate the excellent insights into this passage! I, who have
loved and helped protect country, state, and national parks from my
childhood, had a run-in this week with a State Parks employee that
should never have taken place, except that he could not see beyond
"the rules." And, although I practiced being a "non-anxious presence"
in my best Friedmann way, could say nothing that didn't further incite
his ire.
But here's a story I like from lectionary materials of three years
ago. A man went to a discount store to buy a suit. The clerk brought
one out for him to try on. "It doesn't fit," the man protested. "The
sleeves are too long." "Hunch your shoulders just a little," the clerk
told him. The man did that, and, sure enough, the sleeves hung just
right. "But the pants are too short," the man noticed. "Bend over,"
the clerk suggested. "See? Now they fit!" As the man was leaving the
store wearing his new suit, two women were entering. "Look at that
poor, hunched-over man," one whispered discretely to the other. "I see
him," her friend replied, "but doesn't his suit fit nicely?"
CE in CO
This is my very first entry into a Lectionary discussion group, and I
must say I found the comments quite stimulating! I will certainly be
back!
I like the comments concerning the phrase "bent over" and that has
been the tack I've been taking this week: We can be bent over by sin,
sickness, circumstances or legalism and, like the woman, unable to see
the face of Jesus. Pastor Buzz in Tennessee
I watched the Crucible on TV last night. It was about the witch trials
in Salem and I saw the church at its worst. when we get so caught up
with forcing everyone to live and believe like we do. It's a perfect
picture of the synagogue leader who didn't like it when Jesus broke
the rules. I believe more people would embrace the faith if we just
loved them for who they are and not who we want them to be. Jesus
didn't ask anything of the woman He just felt compassion for her
illness and healed her. He never asked her to do anything. Harold in
Alabama
I agree that Jesus didn't ask the woman to do anything in order to be
healed. But I think we need to be careful, as we tell our
congregations that, that we don't stop there. It's much too easy, as
many of our churches have done, to rest on faith and not follow
through with any action.
I'm currently in a church that isn't mission-minded and have a
wonderful opportunity dropped in our laps to be a host site to serve
meals for seniors. I get to present it at Ad Council tonight and am
looking for words to encourage them not to keep looking at the floor
and themselves, but to look beyond themselves. Any thoughts would be
appreciated!
Thanks (even though I went off-track). Sybil in Kansas
This passage always draws me back to a chaplain's convention in St
Louis several years ago when the speaker/seminary professor (who was
in a wheelchair) said that the bent over woman came to Jesus as a
question mark and after the encounter went forward as an exclamation
point! I have a hard time not including that whenever I speak about
this passage. Laluz in Texas
I want to thank everyone for last week, I was on vacation and did not
get home until Thursday so all of the great discussions were a big
help. I am going to tie this into the Jeremiah passage. God knows us
before we are born and knows what we need thorugh life. He knew that
the woman needed healing from the burdens she was carying so that she
could stand straight. We also need to let God take our burdens so that
we can stand straight and praise Him. Some of us have been carying
them too long and are comfortable not being able to look people in the
face, and not worshiping and many of these are the ones who will tell
you the law and how you are breaking it. He freed the woman of the
bonds that held her down, just as he freed all of us from the bonds
that hold us down if only we would let him. MR in NT
Thank you all for such a wonderful conversation so far! Again, I
walked off without "Do What You Have the Power to Do," this morning.
This woman's back problem is a spiritual disease, however it came
about (v.11). I don't really see this as all that complicated.
Sure, the woman had a spirit that bent her over, and it's certain that
the synagogue leader also had his own area in which he was spiritually
bent-over. It's about whether we'll TRULY stand up for God and praise
him despite what proper society says. Can we let Christ relieve our
burdens and look him in the face and praise him?
I'm calling mine "Show Some Backbone," and I plan to highlight Jesus'
and the woman's true backbone versus the synagogue leader's
theological posturing.
I'm new at this church, so I've been sitting in on the Sunday schools
and I've heard some, uh, interesting stuff. One teacher was talking
about how "one bad apple spoils the whole bunch." But, don't we all
tend to identify others, and not ourselves as bad apples? Having
backbone also means not displacing responsibility for the state of the
world (societal bent-overness) onto so-called bad apples. (I only saw
the video of "Who Stole My Cheese?" our District Supt. showed it at a
visioning conference, but this is along those lines).
I was at a seminar a little over a week ago, and some of the
presenters talked about "navel gazing" congregations. Now, that's a
powerful metaphor for "bent-over!"
Sally in GA (the former revo)
We have a case, I believe, in this scripture where everyone, from thir
particular perspective, is correct. The Temple leader is right in
saying we need to honor God with, at the very least, a day. By not
working and also by honoring tradition, he is demonstrating his faith-
such as that faith might be. Jesus, to honor God, sets the woman free
of her ailment. He is demonstrating his faith by doing the work of
God. The woman, for whom the Sabbath has become a day of liberation,
honors God by praise. All are living out their respective
understanding of faith.
We fight these fights every day across our denominational boundries-
infant baptism or believer baptisms, abortion or pro-choice, support
or nonsupport of agencies and organizations. We each try to honor our
traditions and our understanding of God- sometimes like the Temple
leader by saying, "We've never done it that way before", sometimes
like the woman by standing straight and praising God for the miracles
of life, sometimes even like Christ by actually doing God's work.
I really don't want to see a 'right and wrong' here... I do however
see a very human struggle to express one's faith in God.
TB, from MN
It is fun to jump into this week's lovefest! My sermon title is going
to be "The Good of Rules, The Rule of Good." Of course, there is a
reason we have the rules that the leader of the synagogue was
concerned about, and those reasons are good. Maturity comes when we
also recognize the exceptions to those rules. Jesus didn't start out
to break the rules, but the opportunity to do good took precedence
over the rules. That God endorses this "exception to the rules" is
evidenced by the cross -- the rules of life and death still exist, but
the good of the resurrection took precedence!
OLAS
How about some meddling? The Pharisees are us, the church, the
long-standing, we've always done it that way church. The woman could
be a symbol of those who have a bent spirit. I was talking to a high
school youth this afternoon who talked about the freedom Jesus brings.
He asked where the freedom is in the church. What about discipling,
encouraging our young people. He said, "You know, we have talents to
share. We shouldn't be let go wild, but we should be able to share
what God has given us and what seems to happen is that we are shoved
aside. No one wants to know what we think. Where is our freedom to
express ourselves?" What is the church doing to free people up to
worship God? Jesus made this woman whole, which freed her to be part
of the community once again. Instead of rejoicing with her the
Pharisees were only concerned about the rules. How many times are our
churches only concerned about the rules and not people worshipping the
Lord in truth? You can't do that! You can't have a praise band, or
drums, or words on the walls, or say "Amen," or raise your arms in the
air. Where do you get that from? The Psalms. Never read them. The
Bible? You mean I was supposed to read it and not let it collect dust?
Who are the Pharisees? We are and we are teaching new generations to
also be Pharisees. Jesus freed the woman. Jesus wants to free us too!
PH in OH
As I was driving to church this past Sunday morning, I noticed a
member of my congregation in sweats/tee shirt walking quickly towards
his home with cell phone in hand. What went through my head was, "He's
either going to be very late for worship or not be present at all."
Let's be honest, it's summer and worship attendance is half of what it
could be, and I notice these things. Not only do I notice these
things, I find myself getting very angry during the summer months as I
pass persons heading to the lake with their boats, or on tractors
mowing their lawns. I AM not jealous. I love to worship, and
understand that God loves to be worshipped. I don't understand how
people of the faith can give themselves permission to NOT be the
church for three months of year! I believe the writer of Isaiah 58:13
calls this "pursuing your own interests." This layperson DID make it
to worship, albeit a little late, and afterwards told me that the cell
phone call was from another member of the congregation who's much
loved sister-in-law had died and she needed to talk to someone. He
said to me, "I knew I'd be late for worship, but I figured it was more
important for me to support her in her time of grief and frustration."
Relief! He wasn't being self-centered...he was being faithful. In his
many confrontations with the religious leaders of his day, Jesus calls
them hypocrites. Their faith is insincere. How does he know? Because
the religous leaders do not see the persons they are called to serve:
the poor, lame, bent-over, etc. Especially on a Sunday! The one day
they should be most keenly aware of social justice, mercy, sharing,
and humility, they are none of these things! See the irony here? I am
going to use both Isaiah 58:9b-14 and Luke 13:10-17 on Sunday. What I
hear Isaiah saying is, "one's relationship to others, and to the
sabbath, reveals one's relationship to God." They are not in
contintion with one another, they are parnters. Worship connects us to
the needs of humanity, and serving humanity connects us to worship of
God. Luke builds on this theme. Jesus sees the bent-over woman in the
synagogue because he is connected to God and filled with compassion.
The leader of the synagogue is connected to protocol, which protects
him from touching and serving people who are not pretty...instead of
the compassionate heart of God. Bear with me, it's only Wednesday.
Dana in Nebraska
A couple of years ago I was doing some work with a counsellor. We were
using a process called EMDR (Eye Movement Desinsitization and
Reprocessing) to revisit past traumatic events and deal with left over
baggage from them. Something I notcied as we used this process to
revisit the feelings of being belitled and oppressed by my schoolmates
my body reacted. Not only did I feel like that scared little 14 year
old again but my posture changed--I became bent over, I tried to
shrink into my chair. Then as I processed the left over feelings and
came back to the present I could feel my spine straighten and my
shoulders roll back. It was a truly wonderful feeling.
My point? Many of us are bent over for a variety of reasons. SOmetimes
we don't even realize it until the weight that has been holding us
down is gone. What a liberating feeling! Twice in this passage Jesus
talks about setting free this woman. Which will we do? Gord in ON
Thanx, Mary Beth for that Holey Wholly, Holy idea. What a great sermon
title that would be, followed of course, by the closing hymn,"Holey,
Wholly, Holy, Lord God Almighty".
I was thinking about what a person can see if she is bent completely
over. She cannot look up. She cannot look forward. She can only see
the ground - the immediate, and perhaps the upside-down past. Just a
thought...I don't know where it's leading. Also I was thinking about
doing a conversation between the leader of the synagogue and another
member. Something like, "Oh. Look who's coming. Sister Martha again."
"Bless her heart." "Hi, Sister, Martha." "No, No. Up here. It's me.
The synagogue President." "How's the back today?" "Not too good?" Well
that's too bad. Yeah, we'll be thinking about you." (Looks to the
other memeber) "You know she's always whining about something. I
swear, when I see her coming I want to just walk the other way. Can't
they put her in a home or something?" "And what do you know about this
'Jesus' guy who's speaking today?" "Shhh. Here he comes. He's starting
now." "Oh, no. He's looking at Sister Martha...how embarrassing for
our congregation. I hope he doesn't get the wrong impression." Anyway,
you get the idea. I was thinking about how the scripture said "Jesus
SAW her." I was struck by the realization that the congregation might
have seen her without really seeing her for the past 18 years. Still
working on this. NBC Preacher
Great contributions this week. I have titled my sermon, "Learning To
Stand Straight." I want to focus on the many times in peoples lives
where there is this loss of hope - when they are "bent over" from
burdens - either because people expect them to be that way (like in
the case of the synagoge leader) or because life has just dealt them a
bad hand of cards. I was also thinking of talking about how when
children learn to walk they need to stand straight to catch their
balance - either by holding on to something or positioning their feet
in the right direction. My nieces were visiting me just last week and
my youngest niece who is 10 months old finally learned to take a few
steps. But to actually take those steps she had to learn to stand
straight. Just some Iedas... LAR in Eugene
From the depth of my heart I say "Thank you" for the inspiration you
have given me these past months. I am a second/third career person
just beginning the ordained ministry and decided that I could no
longer "peek in" without participating. As I sit with the Jeremiah
passage and the Luke text I see two individuals deemed unworthy by
society - a boy, a woman who also has a disability -yet both are
treasures to God. I am asking myself -whose hidden treasure/worth am I
not seeing - Who are we as a congregation excluding because they do
not seem to fit in? Who is coming to church and leaving unoticed? God
knew Jeremiah's worth from the beginning - Jeremiah also had to learn
of his value to God and to his people. The woman in the parable whom
Jesus called "a daughter of Abraham" had worth - she also had to learn
of it and the others around her had to learn that she was a valued
member of society - with gifts to offer. Well - so much for my first
ramblings. Thank you once again and may God's light and wisdom guide
each of you. ER in NY
Last week I had the opportunity (?!) to deal with the ELCA's decision
to study homosexuality in the church. I still had that on my mind as I
read this passage, and thought about a statement made at the table
that it was time that we stopped giving people crumbs from the Lord's
table. When Jesus approaches her, he does, indeed, "see" her, and his
approach is one of pure grace. She is able to stand upright (pun
intended) again.
The church too often tries to govern the conditions of grace, but
grace is a free gift that empowers people, never leaving them beggars
at the table. Certainly we have to be aware of this when we seek to
minister to/with others. That will certainly be the real question of
the study - how do we not merely feed crumbs, but minister with people
with whom we may not feel very comfortable? How do we proclaim more in
the manner of Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, rather than just
preaching to the choir?
This is one of those comfortable-looking little stories that contains
a large bombshell within!
Gary in New Bern
Well, After reading all the scriptures for the week, and reflecting,
God pointed me in this direction... I thought about Charlie Brown and
the "Happiness is" phrase... I would title this sermon GOD IS.... 1.
ALL KNOWING ( Jer. 1:4-10) -Just like Jerry, God knew each one of us
before he placed a seed in our Mothers belly. -God knows the end
results, our potential for HIM. 2. OUR HOPE 3. OUR REFUGE (Psalm 71:
1-6) After reading reading the Psalm WHAT IS GOD? - our protector,
strength, loving Father, etc... 4. A Living GOD (Hebrews 12:18-29) -do
we have to stand aloof like the Hebrews did in Moses day? -HE is the
final authority! What HE SAYS goes! - He can removed all the 'created
things' man made things...removing mountains in our lives. - Again,
hope in Him...we have Hope... 5. Savior (Luke 13 10-17) -Giving
Healing, compassion on people - this crippled lady, straightened - you
know that she did not care who, where, when the healing came, just
that is did, after 18 years! -hypocrites, nay sayers, it can be done,
your doing this wrong, you are just wrong for doing this... - If Jesus
was doing something wrong GOd would not have allowed it to happen.
-Again, illustrating God's final word on things!
So, when you think about, you cant really describe happiness...like
Charles Schultz tried to do with Charlie Brown.... We know what
happiness is by experience...example....
So, when we look at what God is... We know , if WE are KING'S kids WHO
GOD IS- but our experiences are different...But we do know that GOD
is...All Knowing, hope , refuge, A living God, Savior, and
Love...scripture says it! And like in Hebrews, GOD HAS THE FINAL
AUTHORITY, HIS WORD GOES! AMEN
What is the leader of the synogogue's posture when all of Jesus'
opponents were put to shame?
I can remember how, as a child when I was disciplined and put my face
down, a loving hand reached under my chin and turned my face up to
meet me eye to eye.
How lovely is the law of God that seeks not to condemn, but to
correct, and to bring us back into right relationship. Every day of
the week.
-SS in PA
Greetings; A colleague directed me to this site. Wow! I'm most
thankful. Everyone's comments have been very inspiring and helpful.
They have given me much to pray about and consider. This week's lesson
from Luke has usually given me some difficulty especially as it has to
do with the leader. On the surface he appears to be the 'bad guy',
however I'm clined to agree that he is in dire need of a healing just
as much as the woman.
Thanks for all the ideas. They help! I'm approaching this text with
the idea that we do tend to get in God's way and we do this in many
ways. this week\s reading shows how the law can get in the way. Lindy
from Sermon Fodder
I am preaching on "An Acceptable Worship" tying this into the Hebrews
passage -- we argue about what is "acceptable" in worship in our
churches without reminding ourselves that: 1] we were created in part
to worship God so that 2] it is God who determines what is acceptable
or not [not the Pharisees] 3] we need to understand the freedom that
we have been given in Christ, a freedom that allows us to stand tall,
to lose our bindings, and to praise God [instead of staring at our
navels... or counting the ceiling trusses in the canctuary during
worship!]
Blessings... Karin in DE [I love this site!]
PM in PA...
>I suspect he is as merciless toward himself as he is >toward others.
I've met many Christians who seem to show little grace in their
lives... thanks for the insight!
pulpitt in ND
All good stuff, as others have said... I liked E's, Avis, Pincher...
among many others...
I think of the bent over lady in my previous parish... she was in her
mid-upper 80's... bent over so bad, she'd look over her glasses as I
approached, she ALWAYS had good things to say, even when I felt
"small" she puffed up my ego. In a small way, I can relate to the
worship leader. As I watched, Sunday after Sunday, my friend Thelma
doing her "job" of straightening the pews between worship services...
faithful, and stopped only when I told her my kids could get through
easier than she could, (she had a walker toward the end). She was SO
THANKFUL for their "help".
I put my hand on her back, and felt skin and bone... and this text
speaks to the "touch" that Jesus had... and I wonder what he'd think
of all the "baggage" we now have, and unfortunately righfully so...
persons have crossed boundaries, still, my mother... divorced, upon
arriving for a visit, she'll always ask for a HUG!
I remember a pastor friend, JOYfilled friend, who had just read a book
on the "touch" needed of the elderly... persons in nursing homes who
are only "touched" when they are being fed, or bathed, or diapered, or
toileted... I'd be interested in feedback about that....
Also, the Jeremiah text is overused by those who use it to speak up
about the biblical reference to fetus's... "before you were born, I
knew you."...
still struggling, and it's only Thursday, :?)
pulpitt in ND
The synagogue leader (and, perhaps even Jesus' opponents) were
probably operating out of a desire to keep their religion "pure." What
they were faced with, and shamed by, was Jesus' way of opening eyes to
a more stereoscopic truth. Out of a desire to defend the Lord we love,
it's tempting to infer that the synagogue leader was bad, or even that
all of Jesus' opponents (in this text) were evil, but this text does
not specifically say they were. Maybe, in being put to shame, they,
too, came under conviction (although the text does not say THIS,
either). I'm just saying let's not presume that this is a
black-and-white situation.
I'm in a so-called "turn-around" church, where obstacles to grace
include racism as well as the situation we all know and love,
70-yr-olds who simply don't understand a more modern paradigm and
grieve the good ol' days. It's tempting for me to call THEM "wrong,"
rather than the racism some hold on to, or to not honor their grief
and difficulty looking at life differently.
I see Jesus "turning around" the church/synagogue. As church leaders,
haven't we all been faced with having to keep our religion "pure?"
Correcting theological misconceptions, guiding the direction of the
church budget, and (I promise you, this really happened) telling an
83-yr-old woman who's been a Christian since she was 10 that Jesus was
Jewish?
I'm rambling a bit ... sorry. We're all prone to posturing for the
sake of doctrinal purity. Sometimes it's even appropriate, but Jesus
can still put us to shame. I'm reminded of a spiritual, "Steal Away,"
"Green trees are bending, poor sinner stands a'trembling." The one who
won't bend in the breeze (posturing) will be the one whose back
utimately gets broken/bent.
still musing on Friday ...
Sally in GA
P.S. How can someone who's barely missed a Sunday in 73 years not know
that Jesus was Jewish?
how can someone who had not missed church in 73 years not know Jesus
was a Jew, because too many times we do not teach that part of Jesus'
life. MR in NY
We read the scripture of the healing of this women on the sabbath and
what was on my heart was the idea of "work", perhaps the "problem"
with the synagogues leader was that he viewed this act as one of
"work" instead of an expression of loving concern for a family member.
When we care for infants and small children some call that work others
call it love, perhaps the synagogue leader didn't recognize what he
was looking at. I suspect that if many of us in ministry thought that
what Jesus did there was "work" we may be falling into the same trap.
Brothers and Sisters this verse may be more for OUR benefit than the
flocks. Shalom Pastor Dan
To:pulpitt in ND "I remember a pastor friend, JOYfilled friend, who
had just read a book on the "touch" needed of the elderly... persons
in nursing homes who are only "touched" when they are being fed, or
bathed, or diapered, or toileted"
I do monthly worship in 3 different homes. No matter how rushed I may
be to get somewhere I always take time to shake hands and thank the
residents who have come. They could have stayed in their room for a
nap! I even take the hand of those who have fallen asleep. I think it
does make a difference. On the rare occation I sub for someone & the
home isn't told I will be doing worship I have seen attendance cut by
1/4 to 1/2. mehrke in SD
Sally in GA
P.S. How can someone who's barely missed a Sunday in 73 years not know
that Jesus was Jewish?
Unfortunately there are many times that Jesus is pitted against the
Jews in the NT. I had a parishoner who didn't realise that all Jews do
not believe Jesus is the Christ. The few I have known who do beleive
have a hard time with a lot of antisemitism in the Bible. mehrke in SD
Well, here it is Friday and I've really enjoyed the commentary, some
of which has been affirmation concerning the message I've been working
on: "The Bent Over Christian." We can become bent over by sin, and
unable to look up into Jesus' eyes. But Jesus nonetheless can call our
name, and renew us with the touch of His hand. We can become bent over
by sickness, unable to take our eyes off of our infirmity. But Jesus
is able to heal us with the touch of His hand, sometimes in areas that
are worse than the infirmity. We can become bent over by
circumstances, centering our gaze only upon the circumstance and
missing His face. And while He may not give us the answer, He will
nonetheless show us a better way. At various times on our journey, we
all become bent over. But the small voice and loving touch of the
savior reminds us that He is waiting and willing to make us whole. A
newcomer at the beginning of the week, I'm certain to become a
regular.
I copied and just finished reading all your thoughts that approach the
text as shedding light on the many facets of a diamond! Part of my
response is a confession: the synagogue leader indicts me. Last week a
man called practically begging me to baptize his child before his
Italian Catholic grandmother returned to Italy. This week a woman
called asking me to baptize her daughter, but declaring that she
doesn’t believe in “church.” While trying to be as helpful and as
pastoral as I could (much more so than some other pastors they had
called, they both said), I ended each conversation with MY conditions
for doing the baptism—which included reminding them that my
congregation & they would each take vows to care for the child. But
this lesson indicts me because I think that perhaps I am setting the
rules for how God’s grace operates. Today I think I would say yes to
both families—and let God’s grace do what it does best—in those
families and in my congregation. Sharon in Bethlehem
Thank you Sharon. I have been struggling with the same issue over
baptism and you gave me a knew insight. The tension that exists
between grace and being faithful-In the Early Christian Church there
was an extensive preparation before baptism - I am still in a quandry
- the struggle is good. Blessings to you. ER in NY
I reread my last submission and "knew" versus "new" insight - was an
unconscious play on words - but one that has me wondering....ER in NY
My sermon will be called "Choices for Growing", taking the choice that
Jesus made to teach, love, and move us in the direction of Spiritual
growth by loving beyond set traditions. Tahnk you all for great
contributions, it seems I learn so much from this site. In ministry
together, BS in MO
I'm looking at the last verse now and I notice this; "All his
opponents were put to shame; AND the ENTIRE crowd was rejoicing..."
The ENTIRE crowd? Even those put to shame? First I answer,"I don't
think so." Then I thinks to myself, I thinks,"Hmmm... Maybe Jesus gave
'em a GOOD shamin'; the kind that makes them say,"Ouch! But he's
right, you know, never thought of it that way. Danged if it ain't a
right and good and holy thing to loose the cords of bondage on the
Sabbath. Makes it a Sabbath UNTO THE LORD for sure! Hooo-ray!" Even
the Synagogue Leader may have gone home that evening praising the Lord
for a new insight as to what is holy. Stranger things have happened.
I must confess that when I started reading the lection I said to
myself,"I don't remember this healing. I remember the woman who
suffered for years with the 'flow of blood', but this woman I must
have skipped over somehow." Then I got down to the altercation between
Jesus and the Synagogue Leader and said,"Oh, yeah, the guy who gets
his come-uppance from Jesus; THAT story!" I remembered the put down of
the hypocrites and not the raising up of this "daughter of Abraham". I
was as blind to her as any of them were. Shame on me!
I guess I get so wrapped up in justice sometimes, I needed to think
somebody got a whipping, but maybe this day everybody, the Entire
Crowd, got a blessing. No villains, just villagers not thinking, then
given something to think about, then thanking God for new thinking.
That's the way I want to think of it today. I needed a Good shamin'.
Good for me.
I just read "Princess: A True Story of Life Behind the Veil in Saudi
Arabia," by Jean Sasson. Wow. Talk about a bunch of bent-over woman,
and the story of one who refused to bend over... a worthy read!! I can
get cynical about being female in the United States, but this made me
feel very fortunate, and made me wonder, how can we who are able to
stand up straight without the fear of execution, help those who can't?
How can we reach over religious lines? Just rambling. PM in Pa
I was in a counselling class. An older woman who was part of the class
was a nice lady, but she was quite timid and reserved. During an
excercise she suddenly broke out in a sweat and could not breathe. The
instructor asked her if he could lead her through her experience. She
agreed. It turned out this woman was unwanted when she was born. Her
mother was dry when she was born because her mother did not want this
baby, born out of "wed-lock." All her life she had tried to pay her
mother back for being born. Her mother had long since died, but the
woman was left not quite fully alive. In this experience she was going
through the birth again. She couldn't get her breath and she was very
hot. As she went through the therapy, in just 15 minuites, she stood
up straight in front of all of us and began breathing deeply
underneath the ceiling fan, and turning around with considerable
freedom and boldness. She looked like she was born again. Her burden
was much longer than 18 years. But I was very happy for her that at
this time in her life she could have renewal, birth, and "stand up
straight and strong", and be happier. It was wonderful to witness.
Preacher in Pincher.
I've just returned from a fantastic family holiday in California, and
left it really late to start this, but here are one or two thoughts
for any other late comers.
Looking at the greek ... Jesus says to her ... you have been loosed
... (rather than you are set free)
also ... she was made straight (rather than she stood up straight)
the word loosed comes up again in talking to the leader ... does not
each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox ..
and again in v 16 ought not this woman ... be loosed ..
Another tack ... looking at the progression in the chapter ...it
starts with two discussions about judgment, both of which seem to
highlight a certain degree of mean spiritedness, moves through today's
story (which also has the mean spirited leader) ... and ends up with
three parables of the kingdom, all of which are overflowing with an
abundance of life and growth.
My direction might start something like this LET'S PLAY BY THE RULES,
SHALL WE (MAYBE A LA ANGELICA OF RUGRATS FAME)
and then move on to Jesus saying
NO, LET'S NOT! LET'S BE A LITTLE BIT RADICAL!
I know it's late in the week but wanted to add another perspective. I
was given Henri Nouwen's LIFE OF THE BELOVED after the summer CPE
program. He takes the very radical (and real -- and desperately
needed) stance that God says to each of us: "You are my Beloved."
Whatever bound this woman and the synagogue leader, Jesus called them
back to their truth. The circumstances do tend to dictate to us who we
are, especially shame and guilt and fear and grief. In time, we stay
bent over and don't necessarily know it. I know that I stood
straighter after reading just the first two chapters of his book. I
find that for me it makes a big difference where I start from as to
how I will interpret a passage; do we know our hermeneutic of the
heart? A few thoughts from CPEChapPA
This is last minute, but as I read through everyone's comments, I was
surprised that no one seemed to have commented on what Jesus said
about them taking care of their animals on the Sabbath. My meddling
comment is to ask my people how many of us take better care of our
pets, than we do in taking care of other people. People have eternal
value, this woman had eternal value, yet that system and our vales at
times, seem to say that we place more value on our animals. What do
you think? Pastor john in NH
pulpitt, If you happen to look at this site this late in the week,
perhaps this story of touch might help: I worked as a nursing
assistant to pay my way through seminary. There was a woman patient at
the home that terrified all of us; she was nasty and struck out at all
of us not only by pinching and scratching but with her words (I heard
her tell a pregnant nurse that she hoped the baby would be stillborn).
It took the entire staff to give E. her eyedrops each morning because
we had to hold her feet, arms, head and even her trunk as she lay in
bed so she wouldn't hurt anyone. During the day she was restrained in
her chair for the same reason. And of course, no one spent any more
time with her than they absolutely had to. Well, I decided to take on
E. as a project for any spare moments I had in the day. I'd go in to
her room and rub her back, and tell her that God loved her. Several
weeks into this, as we gathered around her bed to give the eyedrops.
As I went to take her head, E. looked up at me and said, "Trade places
with someone - I don't want to bite YOU". It was a big turning point
for her and for all of us. The staff saw that she was a person, and
began to be a little more gentle and caring. Within a few months, she
was allowed to walk freely around the nursing home and had become a
real sweetie; she became a staff favorite instead of being perceived
as a monster. All because someone dared to touch her body and heart.
Bonnie
Thanks Mehrke and Bonnie,
I DID see the story Bonnie - thank you much, and Mehrke... I too, make
a point now to always, touch the people I visit at nursing homes... in
fact, I'm on the "docket" at one this coming week. I will touch them
too!
Again, thanks to all of you for great STUFF! It will preach in Fargo!
:?)
With words of hope,
pulpitt in ND
Therefore I am cosidering teaching that whenever our traditions
prevent us from loving others we have allowed ourselves to slip into
legalism. Will this dog hunt? Jay in Rolling Prairie
Thanks Jay... I like that insight! You probably won't see this...
sorry so late... pulpitt in ND
E... you said it very eloquently... I liked that very much too....
E said, "I think the meaning of this passage is much deeper than just
an ego problem (the synagogue leader), or lapsing into legalism. I
think that the vast majority of us need to put ourselves in the place
of the synagogue leader. We are not the bent over woman. We are the
one's that think it is normal and natural to have bent over people
walking around. Our privilege stance in life, is contingent upon
certain people remaining bent over with the heaviest of burdens. Jesus
is the arbiter of a new covenant in which it is not okay for some to
carry a disproportionate burden. This is an opportunity for our
congregation to look at how much privilege we have compared to the
rest of the world. Why do we think it's okay to continue with the
status quo while people are walking around in need of liberation? It?s
a privilege of the few not to work on Sunday. It?s a privilege to be
able to say who can be healed and when. We have the same privilege of
determining who will be free and who will not."
pulpitt in ND
I like the idea of Jesus challenging the authorities on the question
of Law, but some of the approaches to this text in various resources
have left me squirming. A woman in my congregation is quite literally
a living example of the woman in the story, having lived for twenty
years with crippling arthritis. One of the resources that I looked at,
suggested the sermon title of "Straighten Up" -- how would that make
this woman feel? Maybe the metaphor just strikes a bit close to
home.... The most remarkable part of the parable to me is the fact
that this woman made it to the synagogue at all, given that this was
hardly a "handicap accessible" society. Her courage overwhelms me.
Susan
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a clear and present danger to all of
those who whis to live under the Law of Moses. Christ's physical
presence is the good news, it is His presence in the flesh which
nailed the written code to the cross. And like the crippled women all
who have been given faith will be set free from the torment of the
Law. Set free from the curse and death of the Law and given life in
Chris, life that rises from the death and life which will live with
God eternally. That's what amazes me!
