In Luke 13:10-17, we encounter a powerful and transformative moment in Jesus' ministry. As Jesus enters a synagogue on the Sabbath, he notices a woman who has been crippled for eighteen years, bent over and unable to straighten herself. Jesus, moved by compassion, calls her over and says, "Woman, you are set free from your infirmity." He lays his hands on her, and immediately she straightens up, glorifying God.
However, the religious leaders present are indignant that Jesus healed on the Sabbath, accusing him of breaking the law. Jesus responds by pointing out their hypocrisy, highlighting how they would untie their animals and lead them to water on the Sabbath, yet they deny this woman, a daughter of Abraham, her freedom from bondage.
This encounter not only showcases Jesus' unwavering compassion and desire to set people free from their physical and spiritual afflictions but also challenges the religious legalism and hypocrisy of the religious leaders. It serves as a reminder of the true intent of the Sabbath, which is to bring liberation and restoration to those in need.
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