The woman suffered from a twisted body for eighteen years. She was victimized and abused as a sinner by the religious leaders. She was exiled, rejected, despised, and even denied as being fully human.
“… the leader of the synagogue [was], indignant, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath…” (v. 14) “But the Lord answered him and said, ‘You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey… and lead it… to water’” (v. 15)?
Jesus lifted her up, to the highest status in Jewish society. He declared her as a “… daughter of Abraham, whom Satan bound… [to] … be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day” (v. 16) This woman is infinitely more valued in the eyes God than any narrow interpretation of the Law. Jesus shamed the religious leaders for their lack of compassion. He called them hypocrites. He reminded them that keeping Sabbath has a broader interpretation than refraining from physical labor. Jesus taught that Sabbath is the practice of Shalom- love in action. It is God’s divine and outrageous interruption by His Reign suddenly being present in our midst.
Walter Brueggemann, writes in his book, Sabbath as Resistance, "Saying no to the culture of now,” that Sabbath is being neighbor with all without distinction. Sabbath means to join with God and co-create with Him in His Reign. We are reminded of God’s great reversal and the option with the “least of these,” (Matt. 25:40). who become the “first” to receive God’s grace-- “and the entire crowd, was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing (vs. 17).
How may I live Sabbath beyond just obeying it?
Prayer: Lord of Sabbath, may I rest in thee for the rest of my days, when Sabbath is fulfilled in our presence. Amen.
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