Physically she was crippled from arthritis. So twisted and bent she couldn’t even look up. Spiritually, she illustrates the broken. So wounded and hurting she is unable to raise her eyes towards her Savior. Then those two beautiful words from Jesus, “You’re free”. And in the midst of her rising up and giving glory to God, religion stepped in.
How could Jesus have the audacity to heal on the Sabbath day? Religion – it didn’t care about who SHE was! It didn’t care about her pain – her brokenness! Yes, it was too bad that she was hurting. Too bad that she couldn’t be set free from her pain, but rules were rules and religion dictated that she remain bound.
I love how Jesus responded: “Each Sabbath every one of you regularly unties your cow or donkey from its stall, leads it out for water, and thinks nothing of it.” Now, don’t miss this part – here is where it gets good! Jesus continued, “So why isn't it all right for me to untie this daughter of Abraham and lead her from the stall where Satan has had her tied these eighteen years?"
That day, religion walked away embarrassed and ashamed, and today we can celebrate that freedom Jesus offers us! It’s been almost six years since He untied me and led me out of a smelly, filthy stall of hatred, despair and depression, and I continue to stand and give Him all glory for setting me free!
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