Scripture Reading: Luke 13.10-17 Today's inspiration: For by grace you have been saved. . . it is a gift. Ephesians 2.8

Good Morning.

It was mid-September, as I readied myself to attend Rosh Hoshannah services, being careful to dress in darker, conservative attire, so as not to offend. San Clemente had a young Chabad community, so I would not have to travel far to spend time worshipping the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Only trouble was. . . there was not a quorum--at least ten men--so the service could not be conducted. Don't misunderstand, there were more than ten people, but some were women, and we didn't count... literally. As it was in Jesus' day, only men count for a quorum in Orthodox Judaism.

In today's passage, Luke describes Jesus teaching in the synagogue on a Sabbath. Good. Then, Jesus notices. . . (things always happen when Jesus notices, have you noticed that?). . . a crippled woman and He calls her to the front. Now, when I took myself off to the nearest Rosh Hoshanna service that day, which I found in Newport Beach, I got a feel for what that could have been like. In the Orthodox service, men and women sit separately. Men on the left, women on the right. But in Jesus' day, the women were in the outer court of the temple/synagogue, truly separate from the men. So Jesus had to really be observant to see this woman's condition. Compassion is like that, you know---really observant, and then moved to action, as our Lord was that day. His was a simple act--"Woman, you are set free from your infirmity." Then He put His hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God. Good for her! Jesus set the woman free of the infirmity that had bound her for so long. The synagogue leader immediately seizes the opportunity to address the congregants. You can picture him, coming up front alongside Jesus, ringing his hands at first, and then boldly chastising Jesus for violating the laws of working on the Sabbath by healing the woman. Clearly, the synagogue leader had no regard for this woman's condition; she had two strikes against her in his mind--first, she was a woman, second, she was crippled. Many Jews believed that physical maladies were caused by sin--either that individual's sin or that of their parents. (check out John 9, when Jesus and the disciples passed by a blind man--the men asked Jesus, "Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?)

Jesus calls the leader a hypocrite, reminding the man that he had untied his donkey, and led it out to get water on the Sabbath, (which was work), so how much more should this Jewish sister be set free from her suffering! The people were delighted with Jesus--His compassionate, healing touch of the woman, AND His ready retort to the legalistic leader. It kinda reminds me of one of those old plays where the 'good guy' accomplishes a major feat, and the people cheer wildly; the villain comes on the scene, and the crowd loudly boos him--you see, they knew what they had seen was right. They had witnessed grace replacing the Law. They had seen Jesus moved with compassion one moment, healing the next, and then, setting the record straight with the legalist.

Grace changes our lives. When we understand, accept, and experience the grace of God, (our undeserved favor), we are able to give grace to others. I know and love people who must not really 'know' God's grace, or they would be able to extend it to others. Sad, really. Giving the poor synagogue leader a break, we realize that all he had known was the Law, and preserving it. . . until Grace came to teach that day. Grace not only changed everything for the crippled woman that day, it changed everything for that guy. He would never be able to look at Sabbath laws the same.

And by the way, I do not know who Luke's mother was, but she must have been quite a woman. . . We know Dr. Luke had a love and appreciation for women that the other gospel writers lack, because he has 23 passages regarding women that are not included in the other gospels. Luke gives us great insight into Jesus' love, respect, and concern for women, which was probably another reason that the Jewish leaders of the day chose to overlook Jesus as Messiah. Remember, Jewish men thanked Yeshua every day that He had not made them a woman! Jesus was comfortable around women, and they liked being around Him. (I guess so, since He respected them!) What an amazing Savior who came to walk the dusty roads of Palestine and teach us a new way---a new way to live. . . a new way to love. . .

Grace. . . try a little today.

Christine