Luke 13:10-17 (TNIV):
On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for 18 years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, "Woman, you are set free from your infirmity." Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.

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."

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? Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for 18 long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?"

When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing.

Jesus, it appears to me, was a bit of a feminist, in the best sense of that word. He valued and esteemed women, even though he lived in a society that seemed to consider them second-class citizens. While most rabbis would daily pray, "Thank you God that I was not born a Gentile or a woman," I'm guessing Jesus did not do so. The Bible is full of stories about how he honored women. He often seems to seek out women, to hold them up as spiritual examples, and love them in an honorable way.

One of the things I love about Jesus is that he makes it very clear that a person's value is not tied to their race, their religion, their wealth, or their gender. Their value is found in their relationship with God.

This woman had been afflicted with a disease for 18 years. That's a long time. Still, she runs into Jesus at a local synagogue. Sometimes physical challenges—living in pain—might tempt us to give up on church … to stay away from God and feel sorry for ourselves. But not this woman. She's still showing up, praying for help. For 18 years. I wonder if I would stay faithful, keep hoping, and keep praying for that long. Or would I grow bitter, cynical, and angry at God?

If I did, I'd be getting angry at the wrong person.

Jesus tells the people that it's not God who has kept this woman tied up in her own body for 18 years. The battle between good and evil, between God and Satan, is being waged all around us.

Imagine the woman, who perhaps has a severe case of osteoporosis or arthritis. She's bent over, her body twisted in a way that's painful for her and uncomfortable for others to even look at. She's smaller because of her disease. Folded up, almost.

What weighs you down, bends you over, keeps you small? Is it the weight of other people's expectations? Or the burden of trying to make other people happy? Is it the heavy load of living by keeping religious rules, which all seem to imply that "good girls don't make waves"? What is it in your life that has kept you from standing up straight, looking people in the eyes, and believing in your own value? What has stolen your joy?

Maybe your affliction is not physical but emotional or spiritual. Even though others may not be able to see it, it's still painful. It's still keeping you from reaching your full potential.

This woman's society did not value her—in fact, they likely considered her infirmity a punishment for some sin she had committed. Jesus refutes that by his words and his actions. He restores her not only to physical health, but to being an active participant in the community of worship.

Imagine being that woman, standing up straight for the first time in almost two decades. Picture her expression as she's finally able to straighten and raise her arms—and the first thing she does with them is lift them up in praise to God.

There have been times that I have lived bent over and small in certain areas of my life. I didn't realize it—I was just trying to avoid conflict, to make certain people happy. In a way, I took the path of least resistance, not wanting to stand up for myself because I was afraid. But doing so hindered me from standing up and praising God with my life and my actions. It prevented me from looking people in the eye and feeling the confidence that comes from knowing I am God's beloved daughter.

Jesus sees our struggles and wants to set us free. His words to that woman are his words to you: "You are set free" (v. 12 TNIV)!

This encounter with Jesus offers hope to anyone who is weary, burdened, and weighed down. He wants to set us free, to lift us up so we can stand up straight, look him in the eyes, and praise him with all of our strength.

Keri Wyatt Kent is the author of six books, and is a sought-after speaker and retreat leader (www.keriwyattkent.com). She will teach two breakout sessions at this year's Willow Creek Children's Ministry Conference, April 23-25. This column was adapted in part from her book Oxygen: Deep Breathing for the Soul.

Copyright © 2008 Promiseland.

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