“WOMAN, THOU ART LOOSED”
Luke 13:10-17
10 And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.
11 And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.
12 And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.
13 And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
14 And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.
15 The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?
16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?
17 And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.
Introduction: Jesus never performed miracles just to excite or thrill people. He sincerely cared about people and their needs. His miracles always served to bring glory to God, to meet the needs of people, and to bring to them the touch of heaven. His miracles always brought people face to face with God. They were evangelistic in purpose, not merely for sensationalism. As Jesus taught the Word of God, He noticed a crippled woman and began to minister to her. He spoke a command of faith into her and laid His hands on her. She was healed and began to give God praise. The religious leader, the ruler of the synagogue, was angry and began to complain and rebuke the people. He was more interested in religious form than he was in hurting humanity. Jesus addressed the man’s true nature "Thou hypocrite," and revealed God’s truth regarding the source of sickness, God’s desire for the healing of His children, and the Sabbath day.
Jesus made three important statements of truth about this dear woman in verse 16.
1) She was a “daughter of Abraham.” “this woman, being a daughter of Abraham” She was of the “seed” of Abraham. She had a covenant relationship with God that provided healing. God provides healing for those who believe in and follow Him. Ex. 15:26; Ex. 23:25-26; Deut. 7:15: Psalm 103:1-5.
2) She was “Satan bound.” “whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years” Her infirmity was not caused by God, it was caused by Satan. God did not send it to her to make her more holy or to teach her something. The Bible calls it a “spirit of infirmity” and Jesus referred to it as “bondage.” John 10:10 “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” That which “steals, kills and destroys” has its origins in the work of Satan. In Luke 9:56, Jesus said, “For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.”
3) She “ought to be loosed.” This woman ought to be free from this bondage. She ought to be healed. Even on the Sabbath Day! It was more important that this woman be free from infirmity than it was to fit the religious ideas of what one could or could not do on a holy day. Many people allow religious tradition to blind them to the mercy and grace of God. They allow Satan to rob them of the power of God for today. God was working to bring healing, wholeness, and salvation. It is always good to “do good” on the Sabbath. The man with the withered hand was healed on the Sabbath Luke 6:8-11.
Conclusion: God cares about people. He is still in the “healing business.” He still ministers His grace and power to those who suffer from the oppressions of the devil. He loves people. In His love and care He has provided healing and deliverance for all His children. God doesn’t manifest His power just because someone has a need. His power is manifested where people trust Him and have faith in His word of promise. The woman with the blood hemorrhage in Mark 5: 25-34 reached out and touched the hem of Christ’s garment. She touched Him physically with her hand but touched Him spiritually with her faith. In verse 34 we read, “And he [Christ] said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.” If you are trusting God for a physical need in your body, be encouraged this morning. Remember, Mark 9:23 “Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”
