God’s Word of Wisdom
Introduction
Luke 13:1-17: Today’s reading begins with Jesus teaching about turning away from sin and concludes with Jesus healing a woman on the Sabbath.
Scripture Reading
Turn from Your Sins or Die
1At that time some people were there who told Jesus about the Galileans whom Pilate had killed while they were offering sacrifices to God. 2Jesus answered them, “Because those Galileans were killed in that way, do you think it proves that they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? 3No indeed! And I tell you that if you do not turn from your sins, you will all die as they did. 4What about those eighteen people in Siloam who were killed when the tower fell on them? Do you suppose this proves that they were worse than all the other people living in Jerusalem? 5No indeed! And I tell you that if you do not turn from your sins, you will all die as they did.”
The Parable of the Unfruitful Fig Tree
6Then Jesus told them this parable: “There was once a man who had a fig tree growing in his vineyard. He went looking for figs on it but found none. 7So he said to his gardener, ‘Look, for three years I have been coming here looking for figs on this fig tree, and I haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it go on using up the soil?’ 8But the gardener answered, ‘Leave it alone, sir, just one more year; I will dig around it and put in some fertilizer. 9Then if the tree bears figs next year, so much the better; if not, then you can have it cut down.’”
Jesus Heals a Crippled Woman on the Sabbath
10One Sabbath Jesus was teaching in a synagogue. 11A woman there had an evil spirit that had kept her sick for eighteen years; she was bent over and could not straighten up at all. 12When Jesus saw her, he called out to her, “Woman, you are free from your sickness!” 13He placed his hands on her, and at once she straightened herself up and praised God.
14 The official of the synagogue was angry that Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, so he spoke up and said to the people, “There are six days in which we should work; so come during those days and be healed, but not on the Sabbath!”
15The Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Any one of you would untie your ox or your donkey from the stall and take it out to give it water on the Sabbath. 16Now here is this descendant of Abraham whom Satan has kept in bonds for eighteen years; should she not be released on the Sabbath?” 17His answer made his enemies ashamed of themselves, while the people rejoiced over all the wonderful things that he did.
Today’s Key Verse: Luke 13:17
[Jesus’s] answer made his enemies ashamed of themselves, while the people rejoiced over all the wonderful things he did.
Reflect
Reread verses 10-17. Why were the synagogue officials angry at Jesus for healing the woman? What was Jesus’s response? What does this story teach you about Jesus’s interpretation of the Sabbath law and keeping the day holy? (See Exodus 20:8-9; Deuteronomy 5:12-13.)
Pray
Lord Jesus, you teach us to open our hearts to the needs of others. Help me always to reach out to those in need and to be an instrument of your love and grace. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Luke 13:18-30: Jesus teaches about the Kingdom of God.