Healing the Bent Over Woman
Bible Text: Luke 13:10–17
In a nutshell: Laws are for the good of the people.
Big Question: Can I break the rules when I think I’m right?
Key Words: SABBATH, LAW, FREEDOM, MERCY
• Jesus’ ministry is often about mediating the kingdom of God to those who are demeaned, oppressed, and denied proper status by religious and social restrictions and authorities. Women hover near the top of the list of demeaned and oppressed groups in the first century.
• In this story, Jesus is honored and his opponents are shamed, but the greatest change comes in the healed woman’s status.
• The nameless woman in this story had an affliction that left her unable to stand up straight and disabled her for 18 years.
• Jesus saw this instance as a battle between keeping the Sabbath law’s particularities and his “job description” of freeing people from bondage.
• Jesus did not hesitate to heal because of gender, location, or Sabbath rules.
Adolescent Connection
This story can help youth connect with the concept of “the letter of the law” versus “the spirit of the law.” They would probably agree that being told to wear a seat belt because it may save their life is far more meaningful than being told to wear the seat belt because it is the law. Jesus tried to make this difference clear. Learning to understand and accept the difference is a gift of grace and understanding of God’s relationship with people. There are times when the letter of the law must be upheld for the good of all people. A red light means stop. And there are times when the well-being of a person overrides the letter of the law. This is why ambulances have flashing lights and sirens. When a life is at stake, the spirit of the law takes over.
