Woman, You Are Loosed From Your Infirmity!
Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.” And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
(Luke 13:10-13)
Jesus had so much compassion for people. Imagine this woman’s joy after being freed from the bondage of Satan after 18 years of being bent over and only being able to look at the ground when walking. Imagine how she must have felt to look someone in the eyes when speaking to them instead of looking at their feet. In some ways her condition must have felt degrading. But when Jesus saw her condition, He had mercy on her, touched her and she straightened up. He didn’t consider her less important because of what day it was. He didn’t consider what He did “work” the way the religious leaders considered it. He considered it doing the work of the Father which was commanded of Him. He was being obedient to the Father though the religious rulers disagreed with Him. Imagine how many times she must have been in that synagogue and not one synagogue ruler took the time to pray for her and help set her free because Jewish law prohibited “work” on the Sabbath. Yet, she still continued to come to the synagogue and worship God. She didn’t allow her condition nor the neglect to stop her from going to a place of worship though she received no help there. Neither should we because as we see in scripture, this woman was eventually set free by Jesus.
We see in this scripture that while Satan can bind us physically, he can also bind us emotionally and spiritually. It’s interesting to note that this woman was physically bent over and then to consider what disease we see today that can leave a person bent over…osteoporosis.
Now lets look at this scripture from another perspective. Emotionally and spiritually, we can be as bent over as this woman. There have been numerous people I have observed who find it hard to look at people in the eye when they talk to them. When they walk, they walk with their head or eyes down. For many, it represents a low self-esteem or feeling not good enough. Satan has them bound through situations and peoples words and actions to the point they can’t look up or they can’t move further ahead in their life because they feel inferior. This is deception from Satan to get them to stop moving forward. However, in Philippians 4:13 it states:
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
The word infirmity can mean a physical weakness or ailment, but it can also mean a lack of strength, a moral weakness or failing. For many people, they are unable to “stand up straight” because Satan has them convinced through other peoples words or actions that they are less than or are not good enough. This causes them to become weakened spiritually and emotionally. This woman’s body became weakened by Satan physically.
How many people do we see on a daily basis who are unable to look at our eyes when we talk to them. How many people do we see walk with their heads down, shoulders slumped, upper body slightly bent. Has situations or people caused you to walk this way? Has anger, rejection or unworthiness caused it?
Rest assured Jesus is aware of your condition. He hasn’t forgotten about you. Where Satan says “you can’t”, Jesus says “you can!”. Where Satan says “you aren’t”, Jesus says “you are!”. When we come to Jesus, He sets us free from the bondage of Satan. But like anyone who has lived a certain way for a long time, it takes a touch from Jesus and a renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2) to be healed. If Jesus was able to make this woman stand up straight, He can do the same for you. Satan whispers “you never will” while Jesus says “it’s already done!”.
If you are spiritually or emotionally bent over and unable to straighten up, get on your knees and pray now for Jesus to help you to stand up straight and believe that it’s already done, as it states in Mark 11:24:
“Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”
It’s time to stop believing the lies of Satan. Once you believe the truth of the Word of God and ask Jesus to touch you, He will set you free from your bondage. Just believe and be patient.
“Lord, I have been walking bent over far to long. I believe you have the power to loose me from the bondage of this infirmity and help me to stand up straight. Touch me Lord so I may stand up straight and walk and do the work you have called me to do. I believe and I thank you because I know it is done. In Jesus name…Amen.