The Book of Luke
A 25 day devotional series for this Winter Break!
Day 13
In this passage, we find Jesus teaching on the Sabbath in the synagogue. Imagine the scene. Jesus is surrounded by a sea of people who are eagerly grasping for each word He speaks. Yet in the midst of this sea, Jesus sees this woman who has been plagued by illness for eighteen years. He sees her! His focus was not solely on His teaching, but on the people He was speaking to. Jesus was about His Father’s business. He knew that His powerful teachings did not take precedence over personally impacting those who were hurting and lost. But Jesus doesn’t stop at just seeing this woman. He interupts what He is doing, calls her over, and sets her free!
In moments like these, we see the heart of Jesus and thus the heart of the Father. Why did Jesus teach? Not to be known or applauded by man, but to mend hearts and set free those in bondage. Jesus was motivated by compassion and love! His teachings were powerful and continue to impact generations. However, in this interaction we see the reality that our God is not one who simply speaks to humanity corporately, but He also speaks and interacts with us individually. Yet how many times do we see ourselves as a burden or an interruption to the Father. We forget that He told us to boldly approach His throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16), to come to Him as sons and daughters crying “Abba, Father” (Galatians 4:6), and to grab hold of the truth that we are not interruptions, but a delight to Him! He sees us and is calling us. Will we come close, respond to His tender love, and allow Him to touch those hurts that we have had for years?
Read Luke 13 and answer the reflection questions to help you process the passage.
In moments like these, we see the heart of Jesus and thus the heart of the Father. Why did Jesus teach? Not to be known or applauded by man, but to mend hearts and set free those in bondage. Jesus was motivated by compassion and love! His teachings were powerful and continue to impact generations. However, in this interaction we see the reality that our God is not one who simply speaks to humanity corporately, but He also speaks and interacts with us individually. Yet how many times do we see ourselves as a burden or an interruption to the Father. We forget that He told us to boldly approach His throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16), to come to Him as sons and daughters crying “Abba, Father” (Galatians 4:6), and to grab hold of the truth that we are not interruptions, but a delight to Him! He sees us and is calling us. Will we come close, respond to His tender love, and allow Him to touch those hurts that we have had for years?
Read Luke 13 and answer the reflection questions to help you process the passage.