Jesus the Liberator. Luke 13:10-17

Jesus the Liberator.   Luke 13:10-17

　

Let us pray.

 

God the Father of Jesus Christ, please guide us so that your words will set us free.  I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

 

Today's passage of scripture tells about a woman who had been crippled for 18 years and on Sabbath she was cured.  The Bible describes the woman as "possessed by a spirit" and "for eighteen years she was bound by Satan." It was not just a medical illness.  She was made ill by Satan.

 

N.T. Wright provides a helpful reference in his book Simply Jesus, Chapter 10, The Battle and the Temple Against Satan.

 

It states as follows, "Jesus' battle was against Satan. Whatever we may think, it is certainly an important subject for all evangelists and essential to Jesus as well."  Today's passage is one of the passages of the scripture. 

 

N.T. Wright is Professor of New Testament and Early Christian Studies at the University of St Andrews. He is also the former Bishop of Durham. He has taught at Cambridge, McGill, and Oxford Universities and is one of the world's leading biblical scholars.  A few years ago, he published "God and Pandemic, Consideration of Coronavirus and its Impact".  As you can see, the book is about coronavirus (COVID-19).

 

In "Simply Jesus" N. T. Wright takes up "The Devil's Letter" by C.S. Lewis. C.S. Lewis is an English author and author of the Chronicles of Narnia.  He was born in Ireland, he was also a professor at the University of Oxford.　He wrote many books, including religious books such as "Essence of Christianity" and "Devil's Letters".

 

N.T. Wright uses the preface of "Devil's Letters" to write an interesting point in "Simply Jesus" Chapter 10: The Battle and the Temple: The War Against Satan.

 

C.S. Lewis points out in his preface in The Devil's Letters that in today's society, it is divided between those who are occupied with the devil's power and those who ridicule it as an outdated and silly idea.

But he argues that neither of them have a proper grasp of reality. The worlds that appear in cartoons, obsessions, and often drive people into delirium are real, and this dark force has taken over people and even nations. This allows people to do things that they would normally never do.

 

It is false to say that all evil are the work of Satan (evil spirit), or to say that Satan (evil spirit) does not exist and it is the cause of bad things in this world is simply referred to Satan (evil spirit).

 

I will read a section.

If we don't have the perception that evil is lurking behind the world of humans, we can clarify the problem of "good" and "evil" in this world.  It is easy to say that people are basically good or "those people" as basically bad. This is a danger that modern man must be especially aware of.  Some Western politicians call it the "axis of evil" and go to war to eradicate it.  We let ourselves play the role of angels and see "them" as demons.  While this is a convenient way to stop thinking, it is devastating to our thoughts and actions.  However, just like "those people", we have inhuman and malevolent forces that try to make us evil.  If you take work seriously, the discussion shifts.

 

Can we say that Satan has nothing to do with us?　Satan's power may sneak in without your knowledge.

 

When Jesus told Peter and others about the suffering he was to suffer, Peter said that it will not happen. Then Jesus scolded Peter and said,　"Satan, withdraw. You are not thinking of God, but of man."

(Mark 8:31; Matthew 16:21)

 

"Judas is famous as a disciple who betrayed Jesus."  "Satan entered into Judas, who is called Iscariot," (Luke 22:3).

 

Satan (devil) gets in behind people's back and takes over their thoughts and actions.  Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.　(Matthew 4:1)

 

The battle on earth begins with the battle against evil spirits.　Satan is using Jesus' disciples, Peter and Judas, to obstruct the missionary work.

 

One of Jesus' great works was to set the demon-possessed person free.

"Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people." (Matthew 4:23)

 

In a letter addressed to the church in Ephesus, Paul wrote,

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 6:12).

The dark power of evil is prowling behind us.

 

Now, back to the woman who was crippled for 18 years and we don’t know why this woman was possessed by Satan.  Jesus delivered this woman from Satan in the synagogue on Sabbath day.

 

But the leader of the synagogue was furious that Jesus had healed the sick on the Sabbath, and said, "There are six days to work. Come and be healed during those days. Not on Sabbath."  The synagogue leader was angry that Jesus violated the Old Testament Sabbath regulation.

 

Following is the Sabbath rules.

"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.  Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle,  nor your stranger who is within your gates.  For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.”  (Exodus 20:8-11).

 

The synagogue leader said that treating the sick constituted a violation of the "Work Prohibition Rule."

 

However, Jesus replied:  "You hypocrites, you untie ox and donkeys from their mangers on the Sabbath and lead them to drink."  (Even on the Sabbath, animals were allowed to be watered.)

"This woman is Abraham's daughter, and for eighteen years she has been bound by Satan.  Shouldn't she be freed from her bondage even on Sabbath?

 

They thought of Sabbath as a day of prohibition . . .  meaning "must not".  Jesus saw Sabbath not as a prohibition of "must not", but as a day of liberation to share God's blessings and joy with God.

 

When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, "Woman, she is cured." He laid his hand on her.

The woman instantly straightened her back, and she praised God.

 

The Bible states, "Our battles are not with flesh and blood, but with rulers and authorities, rulers of dark worlds, and spirits in heaven."

 

The connection between politics and the former Unification Church (Moonies) has been highlighted in Japan recently proves what the Bible says. Despite being a big social problem due to religious marketing, it has a strong connection with the world of politics.  As a result, politicians were taken in by the darkness.

 

When we are tempted by Satan and when we give in, Satan will control us.

 

In his letter to the church at Ephesus, Paul warned, "Do not give room to the devil" (Ephesians 4:27).

 

In the same letter, Paul said, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” (Ephesians 6:10-11)

 

He also said,

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” (Ephesians 6:12-18).

 

Let us pray.

 

 

God the Father of Jesus Christ, please help and guide us so that we should stay away from evil and follow you.  I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen