Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.” And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. Luke 13: 10-13, NKJV.
Dear God, we thank You that we have found true freedom in You. We pray that our bodies, minds, and spirits, might be kept free in You. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
A well known, and well read, book, entitled, Woman, Thou Art Loosed, by Bishop TD Jakes, has been written on this portion of Scripture. I have not read this book as yet, but I plan to do so in the near future. This is an interesting portion of Scripture to study. I believe that more than a year ago, I wrote a devotional on it. But there is always something new buried beneath the surface, in the Word of God.
On this occasion, I would like to concentrate on the actions of the Great Physician as He dealt with this woman. Jesus saw her, “But when Jesus saw her . . . ” He spoke to her, “He called her to Him and said to her . . .” And He touched her. “And He laid His hands on her . . .” Jesus must have considered every action of prime importance. You see my friends, Jesus believes in complete healing. He believes in treating the “whole person.”
Throughout Scripture, Jesus deals with the visible problems, as well as those that are hidden, even from ourselves! Perhaps because of her abnormal posture, “bent over and could in no way raise herself up[,]” she did not have much dealings with others. Under such circumstances, it is very easy to see ourselves as non-persons. So Jesus called her to Himself. I am sure others saw her then. Then He spoke to her. By this time, all eyes are on both of them. Everyone was looking for their own reasons.
It was the Sabbath. So the Pharisees were definitely looking to see what Jesus was going to do; certainly not loose this “daughter of Abraham” during the holy hours! Why that would be against the law! Had it being a horse or a donkey, yes, but not this woman! The regular folk, well they were looking to see if this Man “who spoke like no other,” would do something for this poor unfortunate soul! That would give them hope – but would He dare to do it in the presence of the religious leaders? So they all looked on!
But the poor woman, there was only one direction in which she could look, because of her posture – and that was downward. Then she waited. I can only imagine how she listened intently, to every word of the Savior. “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity[,]” must have fallen like a soothing balm upon her ears! But could she trust what she was hearing? How could she stand upright? She had not done so in eighteen years! She would have to learn once again how to do this. And then came the touch of the Savior!
Jesus had engaged her whole being in this moment of healing . When, because of her infirmity, she could not raise her eyes upward, Jesus spoke to her (mind). This permitted her to look inward (spirit), and then with His touch, He enabled her (body) to respond. The touch of faith had brought her full circle! Body, soul, and spirit, had been set free, and put into motion – she was healed.
Jesus knew that it was not enough to heal the body. It was a spiritual malady, it was a spirit of infirmity. He had to deal with her entire being in order for her not to have a relapse. The body is only as healthy as the spirit and the mind – the spirit of an individual is only as healthy as his or her body and mind -the mind of an individual is only as healthy as his or her body and spirit.
Thank God that He who made us, knows what we need, and is more than willing to attend to our needs. After eighteen years of captivity, she received her touch of freedom. The Savior is waiting to free all who come unto Him in faith. Sometimes all it takes is a touch!