Spoken at SGBC

11-16-97

Luke 106

13:10-17

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(Luke 13:10-17 NASB) "And He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. {11} And behold, there was a woman who for eighteen years had had a sickness CAUSED BY A SPIRIT; and she was bent double, and could not straighten up at all. {12} And when Jesus saw her, He called her over and said to her, "Woman, you are freed from your sickness." {13} And He laid His hands upon her; and immediately she was made erect again, and began glorifying God. {14} And the synagogue official, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, began saying to the multitude in response, "There are six days in which work should be done; therefore come during them and get healed, and not on the Sabbath day." {15} But the Lord answered him and said, "You hypocrites, does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the stall, and lead him away to water him? {16} "And this woman, a daughter of Abraham as she is, whom Satan has bound for eighteen long years, should she not have been released from this bond on the Sabbath day?" {17} And as He said this, all His opponents were being humiliated; and the entire multitude was rejoicing over all the glorious things being done by Him."

It was our Lord's custom to teach His truth at every opportunity. He faithfully attended the local synagogues on the Sabbath for this reason. On this occasion, while in the midst of a teaching session, He spotted a woman in the crowd. She stood out from the others because of her physical appearance. She was bent over with her head toward the ground and could not straighten up. The phrase "bent double" or in the KJV "bowed together" is used only here in the New Testament and describes a dislocation of the vertebrae of the spine. She was folded in half and had suffered with this infirmity for eighteen years.

Without fanfare and without the woman's request Jesus calls her to Himself says very simply, "Woman, you are FREED from your sickness." (Luke 13:13 NASB) "And He laid His hands upon her; and immediately she was made erect again, and began glorifying God."

The first thing I want to deal with is the cause of this disease? What or who caused this woman's back to bend like it did? The secondary cause of this sickness was Satan. We see that in verse sixteen. (Luke 13:16 NASB) "And this woman, a daughter of Abraham as she is, WHOM SATAN HAS BOUND for eighteen long years, should she not have been released from this bond on the Sabbath day?"

I say that Satan was the secondary cause of this sickness because God is the first and primary cause of all things. What He does not will cannot be. Many Christians have a very exalted view of the devil which causes them much anxiety. Yes he is a powerful spirit being with many evil spirit helpers but we must understand his place in the scheme of things. God created him and the fallen angels. These both do what and only what God intends for them to do. The devil and his servants are USED AND CONTROLLED BY GOD to the extent they serve His purpose perfectly. Yes they are evil and will eventually be destroyed in hell with the rest of God's enemies but for now, though they hate Him, they do exactly and only what He wants them to do. Let me offer a few examples in support of this statement.

(Judges 9:23 NASB) "Then GOD SENT AN EVIL SPIRIT between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech," They dealt treacherously with Abimelech because God enticed them to do so by the USE of this evil spirit.

(1 Samuel 16:14 NASB) "Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and AN EVIL SPIRIT FROM THE LORD terrorized him."

(2 Chronicles 18:19-22 NASB) "And the LORD said, 'Who will entice Ahab king of Israel to go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?' And one said this while another said that. {20} "Then a spirit came forward and stood before the LORD and said, 'I will entice him.' And the LORD said to him, 'How?' {21} "And he said, 'I will go and be a deceiving spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.' Then He said, 'You are to entice him and prevail also. Go and do so.' {22} "Now therefore, behold, THE LORD HAS PUT A DECEIVING SPIRIT IN THE MOUTH OF THESE YOUR PROPHETS; FOR THE LORD HAS PROCLAIMED DISASTER AGAINST YOU."

(Job 1:8-22 NASB) "And the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil.". . . {12} Then the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power, only do not put forth your hand on him." (You can touch the things and people around Job but you can't touch him personally. Notice how God controls or sets the parameters of Satan's evil business on earth.) So Satan departed from the presence of the LORD."

Now comes a list of the trials and disasters Satan, with God's permission, brought upon Job to test the integrity of his faith. {13} Now it happened on the day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house, {14} that a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, {15} and the Sabeans attacked and took them. They also slew the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you." (What or who do you suppose enticed the Sabeans to attack Job? Could it have been the Lord by the instrument of Satan? That is exactly what happened.) {16} While he was still speaking, another also came and said, "The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you." (This "fire of God" is lightening. It is the fire that God orders about in His heaven. See Psalm 18:13-14, Job 37) {17} While he was still speaking, another also came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three bands and made a raid on the camels and took them and slew the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you." {18} While he was still speaking, another also came and said, "Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house, {19} and behold, a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people and they died; and I alone have escaped to tell you." (Who governs the wind? God is the one who commands the wind to blow or cease blowing. See Numbers 11:31, Psalms 48:7, 78:26) {20} Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, AND HE FELL TO THE GROUND AND WORSHIPED. {21} And he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD." (Job knew who to attribute these catastrophes to. Regardless of the second and third causes, God is the first cause of all things. As is always the case, the devil means his work for evil but God brings about good in spite of the devil's evil intentions.) {22} Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God." That is, he did not accuse God of injustice or sin.

(Job 2:1-6 NASB) Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, (The phrase, "sons of God" refers to created spirit beings, the devil and angels for instance.) and Satan also came among them to present himself before the LORD. {2} And the LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Then Satan answered the LORD and said, "From roaming about on the earth, and walking around on it." {3} And the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man fearing God and turning away from evil. And he still holds fast his integrity, although you incited Me against him, to ruin him without cause." {4} And Satan answered the LORD and said, "Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life. {5} "However, put forth Thy hand, now, and touch his bone and his flesh; he will curse Thee to Thy face." {6} So the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, he is in your power, only spare his life." That is, you can afflict his body but you can't take his life. Again God is in control of the situation. He tells Satan what he can do , if he can do and what his limits are. Satan did afflict Job with a disease of some kind. The many symptoms included oozing boils, sleeplessness and much pain. When you read the whole account you will see the extent to which Job suffered is almost immeasurable. Did Job curse God and accuse Him of evil or injustice in the midst of this confusing providence? No he did not but his wife wanted him to. (Job 2:9-10 NASB) Then his wife said to him, "Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die!" {10} But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. (A foolish person is a godless person.) SHALL WE INDEED ACCEPT GOOD FROM GOD AND NOT ACCEPT ADVERSITY?" (KJV "What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?") In all this Job did not sin with his lips."

Why have I brought these texts to our attention? To remind us of what we're looking at when we see the devil at work. These scriptures remind us that disease and suffering come from the Lord just like health and comfort do. We have read these texts to help us think rightly about the miracle Jesus performed for the old Jewess bent over by the devil for eighteen years. It was to help answer the question, "What was this woman's suffering all about?" The answer to this question is the answer to all questions like it. Her sickness was about glorifying God. This woman's disease had the same purpose as blindness did in John 9:1-3 NASB. "And as He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth. {2} And His disciples asked Him, saying, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he should be born blind?" {3} Jesus answered, "It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was IN ORDER THAT THE WORKS OF GOD MIGHT BE DISPLAYED IN HIM." Everything, ladies and gentlemen, is about glorifying God, even human disease. History and all that includes is the stage on which God has chosen to display His glory and all things work toward that end.

Eighteen years prior to the Sabbath in question God, by the hand of the devil, afflicted this woman with a disease. She had no doubt seen many physicians to no good end. She had attended the synagogue services faithfully Sabbath after Sabbath but was never healed. All the faithful knew her on sight. "There she comes, the old woman who can't straighten up. She is here every Sabbath without fail." What an example of faithfulness and devotion to God she was. What a living accusation against those who find any little old reason to stay home on the appointed day of worship.

In spite of her faithfulness in worship she was not healed for eighteen years. Why? Was it a lack of faith? Was she listening to the wrong Rabbi? Was she not supporting the right ministry? None of the above! She was not healed because it was not time yet. She had an appointment with the Messiah she didn't know about. On that day, by the providence of God, she kept her appointment. That was the day of her healing, physically and perhaps spiritually as well.

Notice the lack of hoopla surrounding this miracle. Jesus simply speaks and the devil lets her go. The God who gave permission for the affliction now declares it's over. At once she stands up straight able to look into the Savior's face. She was able to lift her eyes toward heaven to offer praise and thanksgiving to the God who set her free. Oh how she must have praised and glorified the Lord! We also see that the entire congregation, save for the wicked leaders, rejoiced and praised God for the wonderful things Jesus was doing.

You and I know that it would have been just as easy for God to set her free a month after the disease began as it was to heal her eighteen years later. Why didn't He do that? Because she had to suffer eighteen years and she had to be healed by Jesus on this day and no other because this arrangement brought the most glory to God. It is just that simple and mysterious.

Imagine being unable to look up into the sky. Imagine being bent over so that this earth is all you can see. I am sure there are many on earth in this physical condition today. If so they must be very miserable. Spiritually speaking this is the condition of all men, women, boys and girls, outside of faith in Christ. They are captives of the devil, and cannot look up to God. All they see, all they know, all they are interested in, is themselves, sin and this world. They are helplessly bent over and frozen in this position. That, however, is no obstacle to God. They will not cry out to Him or go to Him by faith in Jesus but that is no obstacle to God! Jesus sets sinners free from Satan's grip with a word! When that word is spoken the most evil and stubborn of sinners will stand up straight, look to heaven and glorify God!

The will of man is often set forth as the one insurmountable obstacle that God has to deal with. But what I want you to realize today is that man's will and, for that matter, Satan's will means absolutely nothing to God. Neither man nor the devil have any hope of frustrating God's will and plan. Hear the word of the Lord.

Psalms 33:11 "The counsel of the LORD stands forever, The plans of His heart from generation to generation."

Psalms 115:3 "But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases."

Psalms 135:6 "Whatever the LORD pleases, He does, In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps."

Isaiah 14:24 "The LORD of hosts has sworn saying, "Surely, just as I have intended so it has happened, and just as I have planned so it will stand."

Isaiah 14:27 "For the LORD of hosts has planned, and who can frustrate it? And as for His stretched-out hand, who can turn it back?"

(Isaiah 46:10 NASB) "Declaring the end from the beginning And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, 'My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish ALL My good pleasure."

The God of the Bible is not subject to the will and wishes of those he Has created. Rather, it is the other way around. All his creatures good and evil are subject to the will of God. Therefore, we can be confident, fearless, and at peace, period.

Has all mankind been taken captive by the devil to do his will? The Bible says yes they have. 2 Timothy 2:26 speaks of that captivity and the freedom salvation brings. Those who are saved ". . come to their senses (Sinners are not in their right mind.) and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will." How is a sinner brought to his senses and released from the devilish captivity in which he has been held all his life? It is by the word of Christ spoken on his behalf. It is by the power of God who does whatsoever He pleases among the hosts of heaven and the inhabitants of the earth.

One word is spoken and the sinner, set free, runs to Jesus for life and forgiveness. One word is spoken and the sinner straightens up to look toward heaven with praise and thanksgiving for his new found freedom. There is no battle between God and the devil. God just speaks and it's over. The man who was once a slave of sin, self and Satan is now the glad and willing bondslave of God and of righteousness. The one who was blind can now see truth and he loves it. The one who loved the world and sin and self now hates them all and loves God, His Christ and His people. Nothing is impossible with God, nothing. We must always say, "Lord if you are willing you can heal, save, destroy, build or create. It all depends on the willingness of God, it has nothing to do with power or ability. Nothing is impossible for God! Nothing keeps Him from doing all His holy will.

I am not going to address the Sabbath issue which is brought to our attention in this text. The subject will come up again and we will talk about it then. So let's conclude this lesson.

The lessons of the day are these.

First, each of us ought to follow the example of this old crippled woman. She had a heart for public worship and was faithful even though it took great effort to get to the synagogue. Oh how glad she must have been that she did not stay home that day! One never knows what God has in store for them at any given church service. The one you miss may be the one intended to meet your greatest need.

Second, we have learned that all sickness, as is the case with all things, has as its goal and purpose the glory of God. In the midst of sickness we must praise Him. When we have been healed we must praise Him. If we are never healed we must praise Him. For it has seemed good in His sight to afflict us even to death. Remember the way the leper approached Jesus. He said "If you are willing you can make me whole." God has no limits to His strength but He may not intend that you be well for eighteen years or maybe never. His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts. You may be sure of this, regardless of the hardship you suffer, God has not given you a stone or a serpent to harm you but does all things for your good.

Third. we must understand that God has an elect people and He will save every one of them without fail. Though they are bent over, focused on this earth and slaves of the devil He will still save them. Their obstinance and rebellion are no obstacle to God. The intensity and persistence of their unbelief will serve only to glorify His grace, mercy and power, when He saves them in spite of themselves and the devil who holds them captive.

Why do the angels in Heaven rejoice when a sinner is saved? (See Luke 15:10) They rejoice and praise God for something of His glory and character has been revealed. When a sinner is wrenched from Satan's grip God shows Himself great, merciful and mighty to save. This brings Him glory. That dear friends is what it's all about, the glory of God. May God cause us to meditate on these great and comforting truths.

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