Wednesday, October 20, 2021
Set Free
When Jesus saw her, he called to her and said . . .
Jesus heals in the moment he sees suffering. Let us also heal one another with kind words and acts of mercy.
“You are set free . . .”
Jesus speaks in the simplest of terms the words we long to hear, “You are set free!” Let us also keep our hearts simple and our minds open for possibility.
He laid his hands on her . . .
Jesus does not fear interaction with the stranger. Let us also extend ourselves to those we meet in our daily journey, especially the broken-hearted and the down-trodden.
At once she stood erect . . .
Jesus brings healing to those who suffer. Let us also offer hope and love and faith to those who are troubled or oppressed.
But the leader, indignant, said . . .
Jesus is condemned by those who want to regulate or limit God’s infinite love. Let us also remember that discipleship is a difficult road.
“Why heal today when there are six days to heal . . . ?”
Jesus is challenged by stiff necks and narrow minds. Let us also offer Christ’s goodness and power against the stinginess and cruelty we meet in these words.
And Jesus said . . .
Jesus so often answers a challenge with a question. Let us also offer up a question rather than argument to those who would bend the world to their will.
“Does not each of you untie an ox on the Sabbath . . . ?”
Jesus is so sensible and concise in his replies to those who wish to silence him. Let us also remember to keep our dialogs simple, our prayers intense, and our eyes always on the Lord.
It is in this way that we set one another and ourselves free of terror, oppression and fear.
Amen.
Click on the image above to see a video clip from the Jesus Film Project posted on YouTube, or visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_80Xpyqibr0
For commentary on these verses, click on the carving above or visit: https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=1753
The Noontimes 