Sabbath Freedom

By Mary Vee
Luke 13

From Luke's Journal 

Lampstand in Jerusalem Temple area Photo by Mary Vee

My name is Luke, I am a follower of Jesus. I have recorded what I witnessed. The chosen disciples of Jesus are here with me as well. 

Today's telling happened on a Sabbath. 

Jesus' followers and close disciples went with Him into the synagogue. On this day Jesus was the chosen one to teach the people. As he taught He looked at the the listening people. 

He finished his message then called a woman to come forward. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. We learned that she had been crippled by an evil spirit for eighteen long years.

It took her some time to make her way up to Jesus, but when she stood before Jesus, He said, "Woman, you are set free from your infirmity." He put his hands on her, and immediately she stood straight up. Her shoulders pressed back. Her arms hung straight at her side. Her eyes went wide and she spoke and sang praises to God, thanking Him for His mercy.

The synagogue rulers who had watched the woman become healed became very angry. They stood before the people and said, "There are six days for work. So if you must come to be healed, do it on one of those days, not the Sabbath."

Jesus pressed forward to be heard."You hypocrites. Don't each one of you untie your ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water on the Sabbath? What is the difference between the donkey being set free to drink and this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years being set free from what bound her on the Sabbath day?"

Well, Jesus words caused quite a response.

Those who agreed with the synagogue rulers felt humiliated.

Those who agreed with Jesus, or didn't know but wanted to see and hear more were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing.




As for me, Luke, a follower of Jesus Christ, I have made my choice. 

I have chosen to agree in the ways of Jesus. 



I will share more of what Jesus taught next time.

 Come back to read the next story.

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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.