It was an ordinary Sabbath day, and the badly hunched-over woman entered the synagogue as she did each week.  Her movements were slow, difficult, and clumsy as she shuffled in.  Her body bent badly forward, she relied on a heavy staff just to stay on her feet.  Each forward movement required great effort, and resulted and a loud, raspy release of breath when it was completed.  This was followed by an intake of breath as she focused her energies on taking the next step.  People turned their heads toward her, and then quickly away.  They gave her as much space as possible, not out of kindness, but because they feared coming in close contact with her.  In her condition, she rarely bathed, and no one knew what other diseases she may have carried.  Most could not remember this woman or her life prior to her current state; nor did they care, except to speculate on what great sins she may have committed that brought this condition upon her.

She attended synagogue gatherings faithfully, usually arriving late.  She remained in the very back, attempting to draw as little attention to herself as possible.  Often, she would stand by the entryway, resting heavily on her staff.  Other times she would use it to support her weight as she lowered herself to the floor.  Never had she been offered a seat on the benches that lined the sides of the synagogue.  It was commonly understood that these were reserved for the prominent members of the community.  One could not presume to take such a seat.  The woman knew her presence was not welcomed by the synagogue leader and his companions, and a seat would never be offered to her.  She was tolerated, and a few coins were occasionally tossed her way, especially when the season called for such acts of “kindness”.

There had been a time when people had treated her differently; a time when she was the one who would bestow these “acts of kindness” upon others – perhaps even a time would she would look away from others such as herself.  She sighed inwardly.  Such thoughts were better left buried in the past.  Her only hope was in the God of Israel, and the promised deliverer of the nation of Israel.  It was this hope that drove her to synagogue week after week.  It was this hope that gave her strength to endure the looks of scorn that were cast her way by the respectable members of the community.  The prophets spoke of more than just a national deliverer.  They also spoke of one who would heal their diseases, and forgive their iniquities.  These words kept her alive.  There was hope for her.

She did not recognize the man who rose to speak, but she knew that he had noticed her.  She also was aware of the attention this man was receiving.  Most of those seated on the benches wore hard expressions.  Arms crossed, they murmured among themselves.  Many on the floor had leaned forward with anticipation, excited to hear what he had to say.  It was obvious to her that she had missed something in her isolated little world.  He was someone of significance.

He meditated on the words of the scroll briefly, then looked up, and began to speak.  His education and knowledge of the sacred writings was quickly obvious, as he did not need to look back at the scrolls.  Instead, he locked his eyes on the people, moving them from person to person as he spoke.

Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion;

shout, O Israel!

Rejoice and exult with all your heart,

O daughter of Jerusalem!

The Lord has taken away the judgments against you;

he has cleared away your enemies.

The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst;

you shall never again fear evil.

On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:

“Fear not, O Zion;

let not your hands grow weak.

 The Lord your God is in your midst,

a mighty one who will save;

he will rejoice over you with gladness;

he will quiet you by his love;

he will exult over you with loud singing.

I will gather those of you who mourn for the festival,

so that you will no longer suffer reproach.

Behold, at that time I will deal

with all your oppressors.

And I will save the lame

and gather the outcast,

and I will change their shame into praise

and renown in all the earth.

At that time I will bring you in,

at the time when I gather you together;

for I will make you renowned and praised

among all the peoples of the earth,

when I restore your fortunes

before your eyes,” says the Lord.

As he stepped away from the scroll, people waited for him to speak about the text he had just read.  Instead, he looked around the room, until his eyes rested on the outcast woman.  She had stopped just inside the doorway, captivated by his voice, and embracing the promises he had just read.  She marveled at his authority and conviction.  He understood hope.

She was not prepared when he called her to come to him.  Her heart began to race as all eyes once again turned to her.  Could he not see her condition?  Didn’t he realize that she would sooner disappear than have everyone watch her take the few steps required to meet him.  Even as she hesitated, he partially closed the gap, his hands held out to her, his eyes not releasing hers.

Internally, she felt It, and It was panicked.  If she were capable of running, It would have her doing so.  Yet, she could not look away from the man standing just steps from her.  On his face was a look that she had not seen directed her way in many years.  It was not merely concern or pity.  It was love, but not romantic love; it was familial love, and it drew her to him.  Tears began to fall as she felt it wash over her.  She took step by slow, painful step until she was face to face with him.  His expression did not change, nor did he shrink back when she drew near.  Inside, It was fighting her, causing her great pain.  He placed his hands on her shoulders.  She saw her pain reflected in his face, but he smiled at her.  Then he spoke:

 “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” 

Immediately, she felt the change inside of her.  A weight was lifted, a bond had been broken.  For the first time in eighteen long years, she felt the kind of freedom that only those who have experienced deep, lengthy bondage can understand or appreciate.  It was gone from her! In that moment, she also felt something else.  A quickening coursed through her body, the muscles in her back pulled her upright, and she stood eye to eye with all of people around her!  This was hope fulfilled!

She knew just the words to express her joy – words she had learned in childhood.  Words she spoke each Passover.  These were also words she had clung to when she was in the depths of despair.

 The Lord is my strength and my defense;

he has become my salvation.

Shouts of joy and victory

resound in the tents of the righteous:

“The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!

The Lord’s right hand is lifted high;

the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!”

 I will not die but live,

and will proclaim what the Lord has done.

 The Lord has chastened me severely,

but he has not given me over to death.

Open for me the gates of the righteous;

I will enter and give thanks to the Lord.

 This is the gate of the Lord

through which the righteous may enter.

Even as she raised her voice in praise, controversy had begun.  On the sides of the synagogue, the leadership was huddled, clearly displeased.  Then the leader of the synagogue stepped forward, and addressed the people.

“There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.”

The teacher immediately stepped in front of the people.  Shielding the woman, he faced the angry leader.  Several of the companions of the Synagogue leader came and stood alongside him, clearly trying to intimidate everyone by their show of solidarity.  The teacher’s companions also started to rise, but the teacher motioned for them to remain seated.  They reluctantly obeyed, but remained ready for action.  The teacher was not intimidated, and as a result, neither were the people.

“You hypocrites…” he began.  He followed up by exposing them and their double-minded thinking to all of the people.   Consumed by joy, the woman did not hear much of what was said, but one phrase spoken by the teacher, penetrated her thoughts.

“…this woman, a daughter of Abraham…”.

“I am a daughter of Abraham!” she quietly echoed.  Her identity had been restored!  She was free!  She was whole!  Her mind quickly returned to her Psalm of praise, and she raised her voice above all of the commotion.

 I will give you thanks, for you answered me;

you have become my salvation.

The stone the builders rejected

has become the cornerstone;

 the Lord has done this,

and it is marvelous in our eyes.

The Lord has done it this very day;

let us rejoice today and be glad.

The teacher had now returned his attention to the woman, who was lost in adoration for the God who had heard her prayers, and set her free.

Lord, save us!

Lord, grant us success!

She opened her eyes in surprise.  The teacher had joined his voice with hers in the Psalm of praise.  They finished the Psalm together.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

From the house of the Lord we bless you.

The Lord is God,

and he has made his light shine on us.

With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession

up to the horns of the altar.

You are my God, and I will praise you;

you are my God, and I will exalt you.

 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

his love endures forever.

She knew that she had much to learn from this man.  He had truly been sent by God to be her deliverer; but she didn’t quite understand what that meant for her.  One thing she knew, she was committed to finding the answer. She now had a new life ahead of her!

Bible References

Story Source: Luke 13:10-17

Passage Jesus quotes: Zephaniah 3:14-20

Song of Praise: Psalm 118:14-29