Divine Appointment
Luke 13:10–13 (NASB95) And He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11 And there was a woman who for eighteen years had had a sickness caused by a spirit; and she was bent double, and could not straighten up at all. 12 When Jesus saw her, He called her over and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your sickness.” 13 And He laid His hands on her; and immediately she was made erect again and began glorifying God.
She stumbled into the synagogue, unable to stand up, in constant pain for 18 years. That is a long time. I imagine the years of pain had worn on her not just physically but also emotionally. She had a lot of questions about why this had happened, but she in all these years was no closer to that answer. As she stumbled into the synagogue she could feel the stare of the people in the room judging her with their pity and disgust. But Jesus didn’t. She could see something from him she seldom got, not pity but true compassion. There was a small bit of hope that had begun to well up in her soul. She had almost felt pushed to that little synagogue to see if she could talk to this healer. It appears she had a DIVINE appointment with Jesus and in a moment she was healed and set free, was able to stand again after eighteen years. She raised her hands and glorified God.
Jesus understood her suffering. Have you thought about that? Jesus lost his earthly father, Joseph, somewhere between his 12th and 30th birthdays. How? Why? Surely the savior of the world could do something to heal or raise his own father. If not, why not? Even Jesus’ life was filled with questions that will only be understood in the light of eternity and our improved understanding. There is now a limit to our understanding, but no limit to His faithfulness and our ability to continually say with Jesus, “Nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done,” Job said, “though God slay me, yet will I trust Him”.
Keep hoping, keep holding on. Today might very well be a day of DIVINE appointment and deliverance.
I love you,
Pastor Randy