Set free
by Pastor Mark Gierus
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Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God (Luke 13:13).
Read Luke 13:1–9
We live in a world that has so many double standards. Racism sometimes seems to go only one way, and yet all people are capable of racism. We have a world now that chases and seems almost obsessed with making changes to wording on documents and less about actually giving people dignity or valuing their worth as a human being.
You see, our human hearts are quick to judge others based on race, gender, age, where someone lives, job status, parenting styles, school or university attended, and so on. Yet, our human hearts are slow to show love.
As Jesus is in the synagogue, there is a woman there. You can imagine what was on the hearts of those seeing the events unfolding. Were they thinking, what right does a woman have in this space, let alone a woman who is crippled? How many people were thinking, let us show this woman is valuable as a human, made in the image of God?
Jesus takes a huge risk, not thinking of what others might say, but instead, he puts his love to work. His love is in action when he breaks all the rules by calling a woman forward in the synagogue. He then heals her and says, ‘Woman, you are set free from your infirmity’. Jesus goes further still and touches her. Jesus publicly gives dignity to this woman, who had been crippled for eighteen years. Jesus heals her, and she praises God. Jesus highlights her worth as God’s beloved child.
The work of the Lord is never about finding a political platform or even an influencer platform; Jesus is God’s love in action. Acknowledging a woman in the synagogue and then touching her and healing her.
Jesus has touched you, too. He has healed you by forgiving your sins and giving you a fresh start. Jesus acknowledges you, calling you by name to come to him and be healed by his love and grace. You are valuable, you have worth, and you have forgiveness of sins, life and salvation in the name of Jesus, God’s only Son.
Lord Jesus, give me the grace to show others grace and to highlight their worth, as you have made them in your image, and you love them as you love me. Jesus, when I struggle with others and begin to judge them according to my standards, forgive me and fill my heart with your love so I can see them as you see them – that you died for them as you died for me, so all who believe will know of forgiveness and salvation and a life with you forever. Amen.
Pastor Mark lives with his two daughters aged 11 and 8 in Redcliffe, just north of Brisbane. He currently serves as a pastor in the LCANZ and is passionate about sharing Jesus’ love with those around him. Pastor Mark loves to travel with his family to see the wonders of God’s creation and meet people who share their stories of what God has done for them.
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