God Will Lift Your Head

We are continuing with the study of the Blessing series. Initially, we had studied the difference between blessing and miracle from which we learnt that blessings are always bigger than miracles. Miracles are a temporary situation that God gives for us to have a breakthrough in life. Miracles are crowd pullers. Miracles occur at the time of crisis. We went through the origin of blessing as well in the book of Genesis.

Genesis 1- 11 is the prehistoric era. From chapter 12, it focuses on one person who is Abraham. In chapters 12-24, we see the  blessings (barak) God had poured into the life of Abraham starting with the seven blessings in chapter 12. Later , we see the blessings from God Most High El Elyon and El Shaddai in the following chapters. As we come to Genesis 24, God has blessed him in every area of his life.  Abraham, the Father of Nations was blessed physically, mentally, emotionally, materially  and also in all his relationships with God and man and so much more.
 
Luke 13.16 Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?

This was one of the healing miracles in Jesus’ ministry.  Jesus healed a woman crippled for eighteen years on a Sabbath day. Jews did not do anything on Sabbath days. However, Jesus did many miracles on that day. So the teachers of the Law saw Jesus as a Sabbath Breaker, a person who breaks the Law that came through Moses. They had not seen him as the Son of God or the Messiah. Their concept of who the Messiah was very different. The Teachers of Law including the seventy belonging to the Sanhedarin knew the five books of the Pentateuch by heart. But they did not get the revelation of the Messiah when He came. So Jesus was telling them that by only knowing the Scriptures without God’s power can lead them astray. So finally, they crucified Him. Even now, for many, church or religion is more important than Jesus.

From Luke 13.16, we can understand a few  things.

1. This woman was the daughter of Abraham. 

Abraham was a man who was blessed in all areas. He was known as a “friend of God”. His        faith was credited as righteousness and he was one who passed the test of obedience with   flying colours. He talked to God face to face and saved Lot through his intercession. He     had entertained God at home. The shocking fact here is that this woman who was the             daughter of such a blessed man was bound by satan.

2. This woman was bound by Satan for eighteen long years with illnesses etc. 

She was a jewish woman who was meant to receive Abrahamic blessings in her life but    somehow Satan got an entry into her life. Satan through his power crippled her spine. She     couldn't stand or walk straight. But God can make straight the crippled whether it be               physical or spiritual. God’s children are meant to walk with their heads lifted up with a       confidence that we have someone to speak on our behalf. Our Father is a great person.               Today all who believe in Jesus, are Abraham’s children ( stars that shine in the sky).             Technically, we are meant to be blessed in all areas. But many live in a curse or are bound        by Satan. This woman also should have technically received all the Abrahamic blessings            but practically she was bound by Satan.

3. Jesus came to set her free. 

  It was a sabbath day. God had already blessed the Sabbath day. In the New Testament,         Sabbath is not a single day. Everyday is a Sabbath day and we are in His rest. The meaning     of Sabbath is that, “you don't need to work or labour any more. I will do it for you”. It is           trusting in the finished work of Christ. When we believe in Jesus, He takes over our life. Just       like this woman was a child of Abraham, we who are the children of Abraham are meant        to receive the freedom and deliverance through Jesus.

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