Jesus Heals a Crippled Woman on the Sabbath
Meta Description:
Discover a powerful story from the time of Jesus, told by Luke. Learn how Jesus showed compassion and love by healing a woman on the Sabbath, teaching us that helping others is a beautiful thing to do on any day.
Introduction to Jesus Heals a Crippled Woman on the Sabbath
Hello, friends! I am Luke, a doctor and a follower of Jesus. I want to tell you a story about a very special day in a little town in ancient Israel. It was a Sabbath day, a day of rest for all of God's people. On the Sabbath, families would gather in the synagogue to worship, and people would rest from their hard work in the fields or with their animals.
Jesus Heals a Crippled Woman on the Sabbath: Luke 13:10-17: English Standard Version -
10 On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues,
11 and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all.
12 When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.”
13 Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.
14 Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue leader said to the people, “There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.”
15 The Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Doesn’t each of you on the Sabbath untie your ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water?
16 Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?”
17 When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing.
A Visit to the Synagogue
On this Sabbath, Jesus was teaching in a synagogue. This was a special building where Jewish people gathered to pray and learn about God. Inside, the air was warm with the scent of dust and old scrolls, and everyone sat on the floor, listening closely to Jesus's kind words. I remember how his voice filled the room with wisdom.
In the back of the synagogue sat a woman who had been sick for a very, very long time. For eighteen years, her body was bent over, almost like a question mark. She couldn't stand up straight to look at the sky or see the faces of her friends. Her life was hard, like a tired old donkey carrying a heavy load all day long. Can you imagine how heavy her heart must have felt?
A Word of Compassion
When Jesus saw her, his heart was filled with so much love. He didn't just walk past her; he saw her! He called her forward and said, "Woman, you are set free from your infirmity."
Then, he did something amazing. He gently laid his hands on her bent back. Do you know what happened next? Right away, her back straightened! She stood tall and strong, perhaps for the first time in many, many years. Her face, which was usually looking at the ground, could now look up to the sky. She was so happy she began to praise God with all her heart. It was a beautiful thing to see!
A Big Question about the Sabbath
But not everyone was happy. The leader of the synagogue became angry. His face looked like a dark cloud before a storm:
"There are six days for work," he grumbled to the people. "So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath!"
He thought that healing was a kind of "work" that wasn't allowed on God's special day of rest.
Jesus looked at him and at all the people. I could feel the strength in his voice as he replied, "You hypocrites!" He used a strong word to show that the man was not being honest. He said, "Every single one of you, even on the Sabbath, unties your ox or your donkey from its stall to lead it out for a drink of water. You help your animals, don't you? Is that not also work?"
Then Jesus asked a powerful question, "Shouldn't this woman, a precious daughter of Abraham, who has been tied up by Satan for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath?"
A Lesson for All of Us
When Jesus said this, the leader of the synagogue and all his friends had nothing to say. They became ashamed. Maybe they shuffled their feet a bit and walked away. The people didn't care about them. They were so happy! They were delighted with all the wonderful things Jesus was doing and opened their mouths and praised God.
This story teaches us a very important lesson. Sometimes, people can forget what is truly important. They can get so caught up in rules that they forget about love and compassion. Just as a shepherd would care for a lost sheep, Jesus taught us to care for one another. It's always a good day to show love and kindness and to help someone who is hurting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a synagogue?
A: A synagogue is a special building where Jewish people, like Jesus and the woman in our story, would meet to pray and read from the scriptures. It's like a church or a temple.
Q: What is the Sabbath?
A: The Sabbath is a day of rest. In ancient Israel, it was the seventh day of the week on the Hebrew calendar, a day set aside for resting from work, worshipping God, and spending time with family.
Q: What is an ox or a donkey?
A: An ox is a large, strong animal, like a cow, used to pull plows or carts. A donkey is a smaller animal, like a horse, used for carrying things and for travel. Both were very important animals in ancient Israel.
Quiz: Jesus Heals a Crippled Woman on the Sabbath
Flash Cards: Jesus Heals A Crippled Woman On The Sabbath
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Conclusion
This story reminds us that Jesus came to set us free and to bring hope and healing to everyone, no matter the day or the rules. He showed us that love and compassion are more important than anything else. Just like the woman who could finally stand tall, Jesus can help us stand tall in our faith and our kindness to others.
Let's remember to be kind to everyone, just like Jesus was. What is one way you can show love to someone today? Maybe you can share a toy, help a friend with a chore, or tell someone a kind word.
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