10 On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, 11 and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, "Woman, you are set free from your infirmity." 13 Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God. (Luke 13:10-13 NIV)
In an earlier devotional post I mentioned that I grew up in a Methodist church, First Methodist church in our small town. I think I also mentioned that my father was the choir director, which could be a good thing and a bad thing. It was advantageous when the choir held holiday parties and other social gatherings. There were some phenomenal cooks (and singers) in the choir and they all brought their "A" dishes to these gatherings. As one of the choir director's sons I was always invited and often had the first shot at the buffet.
There was also a down side to my dad's, literally, elevated position. From the choir loft he had a birds eye view of the congregation, including my brother and me who, often, found ourselves disengaging from the minister's sermon. (see "Sparks Are Gonna Fly") On one particular Sunday, for whatever reason, maybe possession by a spirit, but probably driven by pure boredom at what was happening above the pews, my brother and I decided to go underground. We slipped off the pew when our aunt, with whom we sat because mom was in the choir loft with dad, wasn't looking, Crawling on all fours like a couple of mischievous puppies we started weaving our way among the jungle of legs, feet, purses, coats, and other hazards.
We actually cleared about five pews before the laughter among the mostly amused congregants rose to the level that my dad heard it in the choir loft. Ultimately, we ran into the wrong pair of feet belonging to one of the elder members, the head usher to be exact, who never knew the joy of having sweet little boys and never, thus, learned the difference between innocent mischief and wanton mayhem. He pulled us up out off the floor by our pants to the utter horror of our father who was already descending the choir loft.
I will spare the ugly details of what happened next but suffice it to say the first 30 seconds of correction didn't involve words. When my father finally did speak I'll never forget what he said. (turns out it wasn't the last time he said it, either) He held my trembling shoulders tightly, looked right into my eyes, and said, "Now I want you to straighten up and fly right!" There was no need for explanation or interpretation. His point was simply that he wanted me walk a path that led to higher ground and just because I was a little boy didn't mean i couldn't live into a better version of myself.
Without trivializing whatever might have been wrong with the woman in the synagogue we all can become crippled by a spirit that doesn't have our best interest at heart. In the passage the crippling effect of the spirit is usually interpreted as a physical disability. I once saw a very dramatic sermon preached on this passage where the preacher began stooped over to the degree that her head almost touched the platform. But as she moved to the part of the sermon where Jesus heals the woman she started to straighten up. At the end of the sermon she was jumping up and down and leaping across the platform. I can still feel the exhilaration of the Holy Spirit as her sermon sank deeply into my heart and the spirits that crippled my soul fled for higher ground.
What cripples you? What are the spirits that cause you to droop and stoop and sometimes crawl through the day on emotional hands and knees? Remember God's word through the prophet Isaiah to the stooping Israelites that now comes to you and me through Jesus, "...but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.They will soar on wings like eagles..." (Isaiah 40:31 NIV) Jesus completed his journey to Jerusalem to defeat the spirits that beat us down. Though seemingly grounded on the cross, Jesus soared to new heights on the third day and lifted up all who will grasp his reaching hand.
As we continue our journey with Jesus, why not look for a path that leads to higher ground and a better version of ourselves. Let there be no more stooping and drooping! To paraphrase Isaiah, "Straighten up and fly right!"
Blessings,
Larry
No comments:
Post a Comment