Sunday, August 19, 2012

Luke 13-D "Indignant at Dignity"


S = Luke 13:12-14, 17 “When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your disability.” And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and she glorified God. But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the people, “There are six days in which work ought to be done. Come on those days and be healed, and not 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.”

O = Jesus saw a woman who was without social standing because of her disability…yet she was treated with dignity by Jesus. Ironically, while Jesus bestowed dignity on this surprised recipient, the rule of the synagogue lost his own dignity. Jesus called the woman to himself while the ruler would have sent her away. She was made straight while the ruler is seen to be a hypocrite—an actor—who is truly bent…she worships God as a result of her deliverance while the ruler is put to shame.

A = How will I react when Jesus works in ways that seem different than what I expect? Will I want him to undo it or start over again? Will I be a recipient of dignity or an indignant hypocrite? It depends on how I respond to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and his love for hurting people. This week I will choose to see people the way Jesus does, as sons and “daughters of Abraham” to whom he would call, touch, and heal.

P = O Lord, thank you that you see us in our most undignified state and yet you love us, call us, touch us, deliver us, and straighten us as we could never do for ourselves. To you I give glory! Amen.

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