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Mary Alice McGinnis

July 27 | Luke 13:10-17


 

DAILY READING


 

REFLECTION

 

Missing the Point

by Mary Alice McGinnis

 

Have you ever had a conversation with someone, and their response seemed out of context? You wondered if they had seen the same thing or heard anything you said. Maybe you even said, “You are missing the point!” I must admit I sometimes respond to situations without really seeing the whole picture. My mind is so caught up in my agenda, that I become blind and deaf to the obvious.


In today’s reading, we encounter a woman who had been disfigured and bent over for 18 years. It says she was “bound up” and could not straighten up at all. She comes to the temple, face down, unable to look ahead or up.


Jesus sees her. He has compassion on her. He speaks to her, saying, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” Then He tenderly places His hand on her and she straightens up.


Even though this miracle was so clear, the synagogue leader saw something different. This miracle threatened his agenda of self-importance and influence. It did not match up with his way of thinking, so he overlooked the obvious. More than that, he was indignant. He measured Jesus by his own human checklist and found Him lacking. “Anyone who is anybody needs to follow all the rules, like me. No one who is truly of God would do a work of healing on the Sabbath.” In his stubborn, self-seeking blindness, this synagogue leaders missed the point.


One Sabbath Day early in His ministry, Jesus pointed to the Prophet Isaiah,


“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19)


Then concluded: “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” vs 21.


You see, Jesus came to SET US FREE. Just like this woman, His ultimate mission was - and IS - to free us from everything that Satan uses to bind us up. He came to set US - the captives - FREE.


On Good Friday, when Jesus proclaimed, “It is finished,” He was buried in a tomb. This all had to be done BEFORE the beginning of the Sabbath day.


Jesus had completed His work of breaking us free.


Just like this woman who was hopelessly “bound up” we cannot free ourselves. No amount of work or lack of work, not a list of rules, no dependence upon our ability to save ourselves. He declared it with His mouth "It is finished!" And touched our humanity, taking it all to the grave. Jesus IS our Sabbath.


Where is Jesus calling you to see Him for who He truly is? Where is He asking you to set aside your own agenda and see that He is the ONLY one who can set you free, and nothing else? Where is He calling you to rely upon Him as your Sabbath and rest all your hope in Him?



PRAYER


Lord, I am often so blind and miss the obvious ways You are working in the world and in my midst. Open my eyes to Your love and compassion. Lead me to lay down my own agenda, my seeking after self-importance. Help me see my need for YOU and rest in Your saving work over me. You have set me free. I praise You!! Amen!












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