Last week at connecT we spent some time with the 'bent over woman' (Lk 13: 10 - 17). Someone who was in need of healing, but spent 18 years waiting for it. It is funny that no one really noticed her all that much, but Jesus did; straight away. What the Synagogue leader did notice, though, was that Jesus healed on the Sabbath. A fact that displeased the leader of the Synagogue very much. 'Come on another day and be healed', he said. Apparently, given that the woman had to wait 18 years, there wasn't too much healing happening on those other days.
Religious rules and regulations: it is easy to have ago at the leader of the Synagogue or the Pharisees, but we all have them: how to pray, right ways of worshipping, the right music to sing, the right instrument to play in worship, the right clothes to wear, the right behaviour, the right bible to read, the right ecclesiastical dress for clergy...and the list goes on. There is a touch of the Synagogue leader in all of us.
A closer look at the story will reveal that there are in fact two 'crippled' people: the woman and Synagogue leader. The Synagogue leader is also in need of liberation and healing: the law has held him captive. So much for him. What about you and me?
On a similar theme, a blog that is really very good.
http://rachelheldevans.com/blog/literalist-gluttony
Chris
P.S. This week @ connecT: humility & fatherhood.
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