Another shameless plug for The Chosen...spoiler alert! Last night, they released episode 4 of season 2 and introduced a new epic quote. After healing the man at the pool in front of the Pharisees (see John 5:1-13), Jesus is leaving the city with his disciples when He is asked why He healed the man on the Sabbath. Jesus replied, “Sometimes you’ve got to stir up the water.”

In today’s passage, Jesus is again “stirring up the water” within the Jewish culture by healing on the Sabbath. But He isn’t just stirring up the water. He never just stirs up the water. As the Good Shepherd, He observes a hurting sheep in the flock as He is teaching and has compassion upon her. Jesus, the embodiment of the Gospel, simultaneously heals this woman while inciting ire by healing on the Sabbath. That is what the Gospel does – it has the power to save but it is also repulsive to many. It is beauty to some and a stench to many.

To those who find it to be beauty, let us give thanks for the grace of God from where we get our love of the Good News!

[Luke 13.10-13]

10 Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11 And behold, there was a woman who had had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your disability.” 13 And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and she glorified God.

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ What is the significance of this event happening on the Sabbath?

+ What is the significance of Jesus calling to a woman in the midst of his teaching in the synagogue?

+ Consider the fact that Jesus was teaching and yet noticed a woman in the crowd with a physical ailment. He stops teaching, calls her over, and heals her. What might that say about Jesus’ prioritization of knowledge versus obedience in the moment?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ If Jesus demonstrated in the synagogue that, in that moment, healing the woman was more important than imparting knowledge, how then shall I live?

+ Have I placed obtaining head knowledge above acts of obedience?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?

+ Is there someone in my life with a “disabling spirit” to whom I can introduce Jesus?