Who is Jesus like? Vv. 10-17- He saved the woman who was crippled by a spirit for 18 years on the Sabbath in the synagogue and gave her true rest (salvation). The synagogue rulers did not know that this miracle by Jesus was to show God’s true intent regarding salvation (Lk 1:52-55) and was rather angry that Jesus broke the fourth commandment regarding the Sabbath in the synagogue without their permission. But this was not simply a “healing event” and a violation of the commandment as they thought, it was a “salvation event” by taking a member of the covenant people (Abraham’s daughter) and freeing her from the bondage of sin and death and giving her a status in the new covenant. What is the lesson is God teaching me? Vv. 6-9- The chance for repentance is not without limit. After waiting three years and not see any fruit, the owner wanted to rip out his fig tree, but he waited because the farmer pleaded to give it one more year. One more year was given. Let us live as we have been given one more year. Just as the farmer said he would dig around it and fertilize it let us till the field of our heart and bear the fruit of repentance. Vv. 14, 17- The synagogue rulers held onto the words of the law so closely that when they should be lifting praise and glory they instead became angry and was met with embarrassment. The synagogue rulers were so caught up in following their religion that even though they took their ox and donkey to drink water, they became angry and bitter people who not only refused to help a woman that had suffered for 18 long years but were displeased when she was released from her pain.
Thank you for giving me another chance this year. Help me to respond with an abundance of fruit.
