Freed from Ailments

When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said,

 “Woman, you are set free from your ailment.” 

When he laid his hands on her, 

immediately she stood up straight

 and began praising God.

(from Luke 13:10-17)

Currently there are a lot of news reports about the law describing various actions, opinions, and projections about what will be the next event. 

Each report about the law seems to be based on a right/wrong principle without any middle ground for discussion.

This scripture from Luke got my attention with the phrase "free from your ailment".

It got my attention because I see the tensions in the news reports as an ailment from which our society needs to be freed.

Consider the woman for a moment. 

For eighteen years, she has viewed the world from waist level, she hasn’t been able to look anyone in the eye for a long time.

Probably, she is a faithful, law-abiding member of this synagogue since she’s there worshipping on Saturday, even with the effort it took attend.

Jesus sees her, stops teaching, calls her to him, tells her she is free from her ailment, and touches her.

She stands up straight praising God.

The well-intended synagogue leader reminds Jesus the healing could be breaking God's law.

Jesus points out that, in this instance, freeing the woman from her aliment takes priority over the law.

While I think God's kingdom may come before the news reports of freedom from our world's ailments, I am confident there is healing taking place.

I am confident of the aliments being healed because I see it every Sunday.

Folks arrive at church needing to be freed from all kinds of ailments weighing down their souls.

People with vastly different points of view, enter the church, and giving Grace priority, worship together.

Jesus touches our lives through singing, prayer, hearing the Word, and breaking bread at the Lord's table.

Because Jesus touches our lives, we stand up straight praising God.