Jesus had just healed a crippled woman; but it was on the Sabbath and in the synagogue (Luke 13:10-13).  It seems that He was deliberately provoking a confrontation, because the synagogue ruler could not contain his outburst.  In his religious rule book, healing was work and therefore forbidden on the Sabbath.  He challenged Jesus  to stop healing on God’s day of rest; and other religionists joined in to condemn the Saviour.  All the time His trainee apostles were watching on, learning why Jesus’ ministry was so different from the formal religionists.

Jesus was ready for the challenge.  Pointing out that if it was right to care for animals on the holy days (Proverbs 12:10; Luke 14:5), was it not more important for this woman who had been oppressed by Satan to be liberated in an act of worship and praise to God.  Jesus laboured the comparison to point out how ridiculous their petty rules had become; and how much the glorious Name of God had been dishonoured.  All the religious leaders who joined in to accuse Jesus were humiliated as hypocrites; but the ordinary people rejoiced in the goodness of God.

Although Jesus addressed the synagogue leader, His intended audience was the disciples who would lead the church.  Within a year or so, after they had healed a lame man in the temple through the power of Jesus’ Name, religious experts commanded the apostles to stop talking about Jesus.  They boldly replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him?  You be the judges!  As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:19-20)  

Religious power can be shamefully addictive (Matthew 23:13-29).  Such leaders are more concerned with their power to control people in their care, than encouraging them to be released from the grip of Satan, by the power of God.  That is hypocritical wickedness.  The gospel is God's way to set people free, not bind them up.  It is the Lord who has the power, and any human authority is only delegated - to be used according to His instructions.  So, let us take note of the intention and power of the Lord to liberate all those who sit in bondage ... and celebrate the many wonderful consequences of His salvation.  May He fill us with joy in the Holy Spirit.