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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!