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Luke 13:14-17
The ruler of the synagogue was offended by Jesus healing this woman on the Sabbath because the pride and arrogance of this world had blinded him to God’s love. He had become more concerned with the rule than the reason for the rule. He was the enforcer of the rule and Jesus broke the rule. The ruler of the synagogue had become so caught up in obeying the rule that he forgot the reason for the rule and had begun condemning all those who broke the rule. He had developed his own means of righteousness by comparison so that through his condemning of others he sought to deem himself righteous. His focus was not on obedience and humility to God, but to himself. Jesus declares in Matthew 16:24–25 (NKJV), “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” The life that one is loosing to follow Jesus is the life of this world and the lusts of it; the life that is gained in following Jesus is eternal life that is filled with internal joy and peace, even while remaining in this sinful world.
In Luke 13:15–17 Jesus explains that each of them will lead his ox or donkey to water on the Sabbath day to get water. Anything that was doing something was considered to be work. How much more important it is to lead someone to freedom from their infirmities. Jesus did a righteous thing in healing this woman, whether it be on the Sabbath day or any other day, and that is a lesson for the heart, which Jesus came to heal for all people. This passage concludes with a very important note: the crowd rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Jesus.
This is an example of Jesus teaching purity of heart, which is proven by our intentions.
This is a command that as God works through His Holy Spirit in our lives, so much more should it be on the Sabbath – think of it – God working in and through our lives on the day set aside for praise to Him.
We too should rejoice on the Sabbath for the great things in which Jesus has done. This is the day set aside for giving praise and worship to God for the great things He has done and is doing. Praise the LORD! Jesus lives in our hearts and works in our lives each and every day. He should be given all praise, all glory, and all thanksgiving every day and especially on the Sabbath for the great works that He has done and continues to do in our lives.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for fulfilling the Law through Your one and only Son Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior (Matthew 5:17), so that we may live by faith in Him for the great works in which You have done through Him in saving the world from sin (John 3:16-17). Jesus has set us free from the bondage and condemnation of the works of the Law and has given us freedom and forgiveness through our faith in Him; through what He has done for us. Thank You LORD! and all praise, honor, glory, and thanksgiving be to You; the one and only God of heaven. In Jesus name I pray, amen.