Where Did These Shackles Come From?

Scripture: Luke 13:15-17 "Then the Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger and lead it away to water it? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?” As he said these things, all his adversaries were put to shame, and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him."

Observation: This verse ends a passage in which Jesus is scolded by a ruler of a Jewish synagogue because he healed a woman on the sabbath. Jesu harshly rebuked the Jewish spiritual leader by pointing out that the same man would care for an owned animal on the sabbath; therefore, to not be the same present help and compassion to a person based on a man-made rule was a great hypocrisy.

And look at the crowds reactions! They "rejoice." Over what were they rejoicing? I think all who followed Jesus lived under the spiritual rule of men who maintained the exact same hypocritical standards. The people's reaction to Jesus' declaration is revealing. It clearly demonstrates that Jesus' words brought emancipation to people under oppressive, stifling, and lifeless religious rules and carries them into refreshing, invigorating, and liberating hope in a God who loves us as a perfect father or care-taker. This was new to them. This was life-shaking.

Prior to Jesus's words the people labored under the weight of works-based righteousness. After Jesus' words of encouragement (at least, they were encouraging to the masses) the crowds had the hope of a God who is for them, who knows their need and pain, who pursues them and comforts them, and who welcomes all, especially those who are looked down upon, who are just seeking open arms--not critical eyes.

Application: Rejoice! Surely the crowds who heard Jesus drew nearer to him after this. The same words are spoken to us today: "You are a treasure to God. He knows your pain. He knows your trouble. He knows your need. He knows all your sin and failures. And he does not turn away from you. Rather he is seeking you and wants to give you what you need. He wants to give you himself, which is the only truly satisfying thing."

James 4:7 "Draw near to God and he will draw near to you."

Prayer: . . .