Day 270

Set Free on the Sabbath

Luke 13:10–17

The Lord was teaching at a synagogue on the Sabbath. Into the room walked a woman controlled by a crippling spirit. She’d been bent over for eighteen years. She had no way to stand up straight. Jesus saw her and called her over. “Woman,” he said, “you’re set free from your disability.” He touched her with his hands. Instantly, she stood up straight and praised God.

But the leader of the synagogue was furious. Jesus had cured the woman on the Sabbath. It was against the law to work on the Sabbath. The leader spoke to the crowd: “There are six days in the week to work. Come on those days to be cured, not on the Sabbath.”

The Lord answered him, “You faker. You all untie your donkey on the Sabbath. Then you lead it away to give it water. This woman is a daughter of Abraham. Satan has crippled her for eighteen long years. Shouldn’t she be set free from this on the Sabbath?”

When he said this, all his enemies were put to shame. The entire crowd rejoiced to see the wonderful things he did.

Questions: Why was the leader of the synagogue furious? Why did the Lord call him a faker?