Sunday of Healing the Crippled Woman by John Mathew, Dallas
St. Luke 13:10-17
Often times I find myself saying, “That can wait till tomorrow”. Procrastination – without a doubt, the number one thing I’d like to change about myself. In fact, it’s been on my “New Year’s Resolution” list 6 years in a row and without a doubt it’ll be on next year’s list too. I’ve been told that God despises sloth and procrastination, and as a self-proclaimed “Master Procrastinator,” I can see why. However, you might be asking yourself, “What does procrastination have to do with the healing of the crippled woman?” Let’s find out:
“Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity. And He laid His hand on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.” But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, “There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day.” (St. Luke 10:10-14)
When I initially read this passage, I tried to mentally put myself in Christ’s shoes (or sandals) and think “What would I have done in His place?” We all know that Jesus, aside from being the Son of God, was very well-versed with the Law. In fact, as a young adolescent, we see Jesus teaching the elders of the temple. So, clearly He knew that healing the woman on the Sabbath would, at the very least, cause a disturbance among the leaders of the synagogue. This is where I sought to apply the Laws of Procrastination: this woman was bent for 18 years, and healing her now would only cause needless commotion. Why not wait one more day? I mean, if she could wait 18 years to be healed, surely one more day wouldn’t be a huge sacrifice? No drama today and the woman would eventually be healed; clearly, this was the best solution for all parties involved. You have to wonder if Jesus came to the same conclusion as well. Maybe He did but then rejected it because it’s pretty stupid. It’s stupid because there is nevera wrong time to do what is right. Yes, it would have been easier for Jesus to say, “Woman, I know you have suffered for 18 years, but in order to please the hypocrites around us, come meet me tomorrow.” How many times in our lives have we put off doing what we know is right? How many times have we said in our hearts, “These problems will still be here tomorrow and I’m only one person.”
As I read this passage again, I couldn’t help but put myself in the bent woman’s shoes as well. What kind of hardships did she endure? Was she in pain? What kind of ridicule and shame did she suffer? Let’s the honest, people can be cruel. I think it’s safe to assume that she didn’t like being bent or stuck in that position, especially for 18 years. I wonder how intense her joy was when she was FINALLY able to stand up straight! I believe each of us in our own ways are somewhat “bent”. Or maybe this just applies to those who aren’t very confident in themselves. I’m sure if we take a few minutes we could come up with a list of “flaws” we don’t like about ourselves. I’m not tall enough, smart enough, attractive enough, etc, etc. Hopefully, none of these self-conscious feelings will prevent us from doing the things we enjoy, but unfortunately, we hear stories of bullying all too often.
Growing up, I was what some people might call a nerd. I even had thick glasses – how I hated those glasses!
It wasn’t always easy growing up as an Indian in a predominately affluent, white neighbourhood, especially as The Simpsons became popular. I can’t recall how many times I’ve been asked if I know how to make a “Squishee” or if Apu was my uncle. Yes, the cartoon character is my uncle...well, I can’t say I grew up with the brightest peers but some of them made my life pretty hard. I remember praying and asking God why He made me this way and to let me be like the other kids. I imagine the crippled woman felt the same way. I’m sure she asked herself why this happening to her was or what she did to deserve this life. Well, maybe dealing with my“nerdism” wasn’t as hard as being bent over for 18 years, but at the time it was difficult. I remember thinking one day, why do I care what these idiots think? So, after a “Dang, can you see Pluto with those glasses?!” I responded with, “Only if I squint really hard.” It wasn’t long after that they stopped making fun of me and my glasses. I accepted what I was, and I believe God answered my prayers. Clearly, it wasn’t as dramatic as healing the crippled woman, but it was no less meaningful. I felt comfortable in my own skin and what I was. I didn’t desire to be someone else, and I wasn’t envious that another person had better vision. God made me this way; might as well make the most of it.
I’ve realized that life will throw many difficulties our way, which might cripple us – mentally, physically, and even spiritually. As with many aspects of Christianity, it’s how we respond to these crippling setbacks that test our resolve and faith. Will we respond to these setbacks like Christ and rise to the occasion regardless of the outcome...or will we deal with the problem tomorrow?
Questions for Meditation
1. Be mindful of the next thing you procrastinate. Ask yourself,“what is the root of my procrastination?” and “why can’t I do it now?”
2. In what ways have you felt crippled before? And now, looking back, how have you realized that God healed you perhaps in a way that you didn't expect?
Author’s Information
Name: John Mathew
Area: Dallas, TX
Number: (214) 676-9932
Email Address: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it