Mercy that liberates from enslaving human tradition

We couldn’t do a series on mercy in Luke’s Gospel without looking at Jesus’ confrontation with religious legalism. This week’s episode, Luke 13.10-17, takes us to the heart of this confrontation. The merciful reign of God in Christ upturns human sabbath observance that goes beyond the word of God and enslaves precious souls, missing the inner logic of the sabbath. The precious woman who Jesus invited forward before the synagogue crowd on that sabbath, was afflicted by a crippling back disorder. It is likely that her lower spine was fused together leaving her hunched over. At the same time Luke, and Jesus himself, indemnify the hand of Satan and evil spirits as the ultimate cause (v11, v16). Jesus heals her- effortlessly, instantly, and thoroughly- also demonstrating his supremacy in the spiritual conflict with Satan and his servants. Now accused of sabbath breaking- doing the work of healing on the sacred day-Jesus’ response opens for us the inner logic of the rest day. Jesus fulfils the deepest meaning of this weekly special day. The principles of celebrating redemption and promoting human welfare remain relevant for the church today, an opportunity for us too to partake of his merciful reign in our weekly patterns.  

Reflection Questions 

1. a. Read Luke 13.10-17. What is interesting about how the causes of the poor woman’s affliction are described, by our historian Luke and by Jesus (see v11, v16)?

b. What are the factors behind her experience? 

2. a. What qualities or characteristics of the Lord Jesus are evidenced by this healing (v12, v13)? 

b. Using this account as a guide, and comparing with exorcism accounts (eg. Luke 4.33-37), what is the difference between an affliction from an evil spirit, and a possession by an evil spirit? 

3. What is the concern that the leader of the synagogue raises, in response to Jesus’ healing (Luke 13.13)?

4. Read the two versions of the Sabbath Command in the Ten Commandments. What is the same, and what is different about the two accounts (Exodus 20.8-11 and Deuteronomy 5.12-15)?   

5. How does sabbath observance relate to creation order? And: how does sabbath observance relate to God’s mighty redemption of his people: (i) in the case of Jesus’ first audience? (ii) in our case today, looking back on our creation and redemption? 

6. How does Jesus actually fulfil the inner meaning of sabbath observance, by healing this poor afflicted woman (see Exodus 20.11, and Deuteronomy 5.15)?

 

7. Two  principles behind the sabbath are: to observe  a rest in order to care for our bodies, in line with our created  human limitations.  To observe a weekly rest in order to celebrate God’s great saving work in Christ.  Are these principles still relevant for the church today? Explain why or why not. 

8. What reasons did the early church have to start gathering on Sunday, instead of on the Jewish Sabbath?

 

9. How might  Jesus’ personal example and teaching guide Christians today who are sometimes required to work on their day of rest, in order to care for the community, animals or the earth?  (see also Luke 6.1-11).