Sermon Snippet – Another Return to Another Person You Should Know
INTRODUCTION – Luke 13:10-17 presents one of the greatest examples of faith in all of Scripture. This lady’s sterling display of genuine faith serves as a real motivation to all of us.
1. HER FAITH FLOURISHED DESPITE HARDSHIP
She had suffered eighteen years of crippling pain. Every movement would bring pain. Every day was a challenge, yet every day she lived in faith. She was “a daughter of Abraham” (verse 16): she was Jewish, but this designation from Jesus indicates that she was a true “daughter” of faith. She exhibited daily faith in this most trying of circumstances. Most of us can think of faithful folks who walked with Jesus even when they could not walk. Such faith is possible, and it is powerful.
2. HER FAITH CONTINUED IN THE MIDST OF HYPOCRISY
This woman came to worship at the synagogue even though it was difficult for her (verses 10-11). We can contrast her sincere faith with the legalism of the synagogue leader (verse 14). The rules of the Pharisees were, at best, silly. For example, on the Sabbath, water could be drawn from a well, placed in a trough or other receptacle, but not brought to the animal’s mouth; that would be considered work. In other words, you could lead a horse to water, but you couldn’t make him drink! Jesus rightly called this leader a “hypocrite” (verse 15) – literally, an actor. No place of worship, of course, is perfect. However, this lady’s persistence in attending her local synagogue is winsome: the only way to combat hypocrisy is with a pure faith. She kept doing the right things when others would not.
3. HER FAITH RESPONDED TO THE CALL OF JESUS
He “called her forward” (verse 12 – New International Version). She must have required assistance (verse 11 – “could in no wise lift up herself”). Why did Jesus have her come forward? Certainly, He was not embarrassing her. Rather, He was highlighting her faith and honoring her commitment to worship. Of course, He was also healing her! Note that she immediately “glorified God” (verse 13). Her faith was not in a place (the synagogue) or in a mere person (the synagogue’s leader – his objection in verse 14 is laughable, for he had nothing to give to this woman). No, her faith was in God, and she here recognizes that Jesus, God the Son, is the promised Messiah. Real faith must have the right object, and hers did.
4. HER FAITH MADE SOME PEOPLE UNCOMFORTABLE
Many rejoiced (verse 17), but some, including the synagogue’s leader, were uncomfortable in the presence of actual faith and not just the trite trappings of religion. Religion is acceptable to most people as long as it is not too extreme. However, heartfelt faith – an eternal relationship with Jesus Christ – is too radical, too real. In the face of such faith, some squirm. A funeral for a believer is a good example of squirming time: people show respect for the deceased but no respect for the faith that makes that person eternally alive. The road to hell is broad and comfortable (Matthew 7:13); the road to heaven is precisely narrow (Matthew 7:14) and “glorious” (verse 17). Perhaps our settled faith will make others squirm so much that they will get off the smooth, downgrade road to hell and onto the secure street straight to heaven.
CONCLUSION – “The Way” (John 14:6) to heaven is Jesus Himself. Each of us needs Him as Savior. May we be certain of His salvation today, and may we exhibit the kind of faith revealed in this dear sister in Christ – an honest faith that lifts our faces and hearts to heaven even when our bodies are dragging on the ground.