Being set free after 18 years

In Luke Chapter 13, we read about the account of Jesus healing a woman bound for 18 years, while He was teaching in the synagogue.

This woman had a spirit of infirmity, and in a moment, she was made whole.

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

This unnamed woman did not seek Jesus out, but he laid hands on her and said, Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.

This was a spirit of infirmity that Jesus encountered, while in the Synagogue!  This illness she had was not because of sin, it was a demon attacking her.  

The ruler of the synagogue was upset because Jesus healed on the Sabbath, and confronted Him about it.  Jesus always having the best answer replied, Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it?

Their Sabbath traditions actually placed a higher value on animals than on people in distress.  

Legalism can keep you from the blessings of God.

Jesus rebuked the official of the synagogue, stating this woman was a daughter of Abraham, meaning she was Jewish, a daughter of the promise. 

A few things I picked up.

The Lord can come to us when we least expect it and bless us.

The number 18 means abundant life.  Her healing was in God’s perfect timing.  

We too are sons and daughters of the promise.  In a surprise moment, Jesus can come to us and say, Son, Daughter, you are loosed from ________ (fill in the blanks) and our sufferings will end.

Where we once looked down because of despair, distress, depression, and sadness, suddenly we will be called out, a hand will touch us and someone say a few words from the spirit of God and we will be looking up, praising God and walking in abundant life.

Scripture reading, Luke 13: 10-17

It´s time to change your focus

We have all seen children or adults in wheelchairs, whether they are there since birth or from an accident we don´t know.  One thing we do know, their legs are not working. 

Sometimes the legs can be thin, no muscle mass and they are atrophied.

Image by Wolfgang van de Rydt from Pixabay

Now imagine the beggar at the gate beautiful.  Lame since birth, his only way to make a living was by begging at the entrance of the temple. This man had never ever stood on his feet.

When Peter and John are about to go into the Temple for their prayer time, they see this beggar at the gate and Peter says,  “Look at us.”

This was not to draw attention to themselves, but they needed the full attention of this beggar for the miracle Jesus was about to perform.

There have been times in my life where I needed to stop and pay attention, as I can get easily distracted.

Peters next words are all too familiar to us.  “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”

How could he rise up, he is lame?  The word says, but then he was lifted up and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. He received his strength as he rose. He needed to put some action into his healing.

I have found out in order to receive what I am believing for, I need to act upon it in faith.

In summary:

• Fix our eyes on Jesus, don´t be distracted. This beggar asked for money, instead received a new pair of legs. We never know how God will surprise us.
• The man sat at the same place, every day taken there by some family member. Perhaps its time to change your focus from asking to receiving in faith.
• When we can´t stand on our own, reach out for that helping hand with gratitude and your strength will return to you.

Bible reading Acts 3:1-9

 

Shout a little louder

Do you tire waiting for your prayers to be answered? I confess, I do. In reading about the account of blind Bartimeaus, I learned something.

We read where Jesus and his disciples are arriving at Jericho, and encounter a great multitude. One particular guy stands out, named Bartimeaus.

When Bartimaeus heard Jesus was in town, he began to shout: ¨ Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me.¨ He was asking to be healed.

Image by S. Hermann & F. Richter from Pixabay

Bartimeaus was ignored and told to be quiet, he then began to shout even louder.

Jesus then asked for Bartimeaus and made his way towards him. In front of Jesus, he was asked a simple question. ¨What do you want me to do for you?¨ He answered to receive his sight, and he did so.

I noticed a few things. Bartimeaus father´s name is Timaeus, which means the unclean. His father was unclean, and he was a blind beggar. It did not look good for him.

He knew Jesus was in town because he heard people around him talking, and he did not stop shouting for Jesus and shouted even more when told to be quiet. Maybe there are times I need to get a little loud in my prayers, what do you think?

Bartimaeus threw off his garment, or his beggars cloak. It was most likely very worn out and smelled. I see it as ridding himself of his past identity and walking into the future that awaited him. Get of rid of the smelly past.

He walked toward Jesus, Jesus did not go to him. Now remember he is blind, and only had the sound of the voice to guide him, and on top of that, there was a multitude. Am I hearing the right voice when it comes to my prayers? I want to go directly to the source and ignore the other voices around me.

When he asked for his healing, Jesus did not lay hands on him, so Bartimaeus felt nothing. He heard the words of Jesus, believed and was healed.

In summary:

• Shout, pray louder or longer
• Your bloodline does not matter. Jesus will cleanse it with his blood
• Get rid of your past and any false identities placed upon you
• Walk toward the voice of the Lord calling you
• You may not feel anything, but receive in faith

When your prayer is answered, continue following Jesus on the road with all your heart.

Bible reading: Matthew 10:46-52