Imagine having a severe back problem that keeps you bent over, staring at dirt and dirty feet throughout your lifetime. You can’t lift your head. You can’t look at the mountainous horizon, the beautiful sunsets and sunrises, or the faces of your loved ones. All you can see is dirt. Sounds pretty hopeless, right?
I was reading this story in Luke 13:10-17 this morning, and it really struck a cord. I can’t imagine how abandoned she felt by those around her—unsupported, unloved, unaccepted. I can’t imagine this lady having any hope for a better future.
Then Jesus sees her. For the first time, she is called with a purpose. She is invited into His presence. She is touched by His hands and His love. And she is given this hope—”Daughter, you are healed from your infirmity.” With a touch of His hands and a Promise from His lips, her back is made straight and she is healed. She can now see the faces of those around her and the beautiful sunsets and sunrises.
And this all happened on the Sabbath. The Pharisees weren’t happy about this. Law states that no work is to be performed on the Sabbath.
I’ve found a beautiful truth here. Jesus healed MANY PEOPLE on the Sabbath. The Sabbath is a day of rest, right? I think the message to be taken away is that healing comes when we REST—when we stop striving and laboring to do things ourselves and rest in the finished work of Christ. That’s when miracles happen.
I experienced a story like this in Nicaragua. Our team was on a prayer walk through a village community. We entered a residence where an elderly lady sat on the porch in a chair with despair on her face. She had no emotion. She had no hope. We began a conversation with her and her husband.
Her husband told us that she has severe knee problems. As of a few weeks ago, she is unable to walk due to pain. He carries her to the porch, to the bathroom and to bed each day. She needs surgery, but they cannot afford it. She has become suicidal, and he is afraid to leave her at home while he works.
We asked if we could pray. She puts her head down. The husband explains that many people have walked by and prayed for her MANY times, but she has never improved. She has lost all hope. She has no desire to continue living.
My heart ached for her. I think all our hearts ached for her, and this was just a glimpse of how Christ felt about her. When we found her, she was staring at the dirt—staring at hopelessness. However, this was the perfect place for her to receive healing.
We laid hands on her knees and prayed. She said the pain had lessened but her facial expression had remained the same. We prayed again. She lifted her legs as she straightened her knees. “No pain,” she stated solemnly. I asked if she could get up and walk to her husband. She did just that. Her husband was leaping for joy and praising the Lord, but this lady still appeared hopeless. We celebrated with them and left their residence to continue our prayer walk.
About 30 minutes later, as we were riding back into town, we passed by their house. The lady was crying, and a huge smile filled her face. She waved in excitement as we passed by. Her husband was still leaping for joy, and I sensed the Lord’s presence over them both.
She was at the end of herself—she was at a place that she could no longer fight for herself. But when we are the weakest, that’s when Christ is the strongest. We fought for her in prayer. We fought for the promises that Christ paid the price for, and we believed they were meant for her!! And she was healed that day!!
“And the Father said, “Sit in a place of honor at My right Hand until I humble your enemies and make them your footstool.” Psalm 110:1
REST, and I will put your enemies under your feet. No wonder Jesus healed on the Sabbath—on the day of REST. It is HIS battle to fight. No matter the battle—health, finances, relationships, etc—our job is to rest in the promises that Christ already conquered for us. Keep resting until those promises become tangible!!
REST IN VICTORY because there is VICTORY IN REST!!
