“And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity” (Luke 13:11-12).

The paragraph that begins at verse ten and ends at verse seventeen of Luke chapter thirteen gives a detail of Jesus healing an infirmed woman.  The beloved physician (cf. Col. 4:14) Luke wrote by inspiration concerning this healing and is the only one to record it.  Jesus, the greatest healer of all, came into the world to show the kindness of God in every way.  Matthew states of one of the aspects of the life of Christ, “When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses” (Matt. 8:16-17).  It is a common thing to see in church bulletins long lists of people who are sick and infirm.  Consider three lessons to be learned from this account of Jesus seeing and tending to the needs of this woman.

1. Seizing the Opportunity. While the healing took place on the sabbath day, such did not stop Jesus from doing good.  It was a common practice to see Jesus doing good (cf. Acts 10:38).  There is never a bad time to do good.  When the criticism came about the healing being done on the sabbath, Jesus quickly pointed out, “doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox and his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?” (Luke 13:15).  The hypocrisy and inconsistency of the critics was brought to silence and shame (cf. Luke 13:17).  Those who will be in heaven serve without reservation, as Jesus said, “I was sick, and ye visited me” (Matt. 25:36) and “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matt. 25:40).  Paul’s exhortation to the Galatians comes to mind, where he wrote, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10).
2. Showing the Glory of God. Luke gave the detail, “And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God” (Luke 13:13).  Again, he wrote, “And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him” (Luke 13:17).  When one sees healing from sickness, one should give thanks and credit to God.  It is written in the Psalms, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases” (Ps. 103:2-3).
3. Satan as the Originator of Suffering. Jesus laid the blame for sickness and infirmity where the cause lies.  He plainly stated, “whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years” (Luke 13:16).  Who brought the great sickness upon Job? (cf. Job 2:7).  Too many see their physical suffering as brought by God.  Satan brought sin and with it the infirmities and the ultimate end of human life: death.  The last day will bring the end of all suffering and death (cf. 1 Cor. 15:24-28).  Therefore, “let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Gal. 6:9).                                                                                           

Jimmy Clark