{"id":17393,"date":"2021-07-03T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-07-03T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mailchi.mp\/urc\/urc-daily-devotionsaturday-3rd-july-2021"},"modified":"2021-07-03T06:00:00","modified_gmt":"2021-07-03T05:00:00","slug":"urc-daily-devotion-saturday-3rd-july-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.trinitywimbledon.org\/index.php\/urc-daily-devotion-saturday-3rd-july-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"URC Daily Devotion\u00a0Saturday 3rd July 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"
Saturday 3rd July 
Women Jesus Met – The Woman Bent Double<\/span><\/strong> <\/div>\n

St Luke 13: 10 – 17<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.  And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight.  When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, \u2018Woman, you are set free from your ailment.\u2019  When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God.  But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, \u2018There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day.\u2019  But the Lord answered him and said, \u2018You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water?  And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?\u2019  When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Reflection<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

When I look at scripture, I have to confess that most of the time I look at the individual people.  What is their story and how does it connect with mine or with people I know?  Stories make sense to me.   <\/span><\/p>\n

When reading these verses, I am struck by Jesus\u2019 response to the Pharisees.  They are reminding him that it is unlawful to heal on the Sabbath.  And his response is \u2018What better way to use a Sabbath than to heal a daughter of Abraham\u2014a child of God?\u2019  <\/span><\/p>\n

Perhaps this scripture is not only about healing, but about the role of religion in our world.  Is the church\u2019s role to create laws by which people should live or is it for healing?  It seems pretty clear to me that Jesus wants the Pharisees, and us, to see that religion\/church is for healing.  We, as Jesus\u2019 followers and members of his church, need to work to bring healing to the world.<\/span><\/p>\n

As pandemic restrictions ease, we may be called to listen to the pain of those around us.  As listeners, we bring healing.  We may be called to speak against injustice, thus bringing healing.  We may be called to work to reduce climate change, thus bringing healing. We may be called to serve food, thus bringing healing.  We may be called to move outside church buildings to work in ways that bring healing, in different ways than our previous patterns of church.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are many people doubled over in agony with the weight of climate change, racism, poverty, anxiety, and grief.  How can we, the body of Christ, offer healing in God\u2019s name?<\/span><\/p>\n

Prayer<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Living God, help us see the weight of the world carried by our friends and neighbours.  Give us the vision and courage to be instruments of your healing through your church and in new ways.  Amen.<\/span> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Saturday 3rd July Women Jesus Met – The Woman Bent Double St Luke 13: 10 – 17 Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.  And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand … <\/p>\n

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