Standing Tall

Standing Tall

A Disabled Woman Healed By Jesus

Read: Luke 13:10-17

Amy’s new neighbor was telling her who lived in their subdivision.

“What about that older woman who goes out walking every day—the one who keeps her eyes on the ground? I try to say hello but she never looks up.”

“Oh, that’s Shirley—you won’t get much out of her. She used to be really outgoing. Then her husband committed suicide after losing their business. One daughter was killed by a drunk driver; the other one moved away and never visits. Now, Shirley just keeps to herself.”

“Wow—no wonder she looks like she’s carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders.”

The physician who wrote the book of Luke tells about a woman who was forced to keep her eyes on the ground. For eighteen long years, this woman suffered from a disability that kept her body bent double. Besides the physical pain and discomfort, she had to endure other people’s pity or disgust in reaction to her handicap. Fortunately, this didn’t keep her from going to the house of worship on the Sabbath. When Jesus touched her, the woman immediately stood up straight and praised God.

Sometimes life beats us up so badly that we can hardly stand up straight. Financial needs, relationship problems, sickness, disappointments, and losses can deal us crippling blows. When we’re weighed down by troubles, it’s hard to see anything more than our earthly situations. If we choose to worship God anyway, we can soon lift our eyes to heaven. Doctors may heal our bodies, but only Jesus can heal those bent over by life’s hurts. The religious leaders reproached Jesus for healing the woman on the Sabbath, but any day is a good day for a touch from Jesus. After that, we will surely walk a little straighter.

He touched her, and instantly she could stand straight.

Luke 13:13