ACC ~ Luke 13 v10 - 17

OVERVIEW:

Jesus releases a woman who had a “spirit of weakness” for eighteen years from this chain of bondage to Satan and to sin, that she might change to a better course (CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA). Here Jesus teaches about the release he brings by announcing absolution to her, for she is like a vine the Lord has cultivated and freed to bear fruit (AMBROSE). Here is Jesus, the Word made flesh, the agent of creation coming to God’s creation and working on the sabbath his new creation (CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA).

In the ensuing discussion, the chief of the synagogue stands as one who does not understand the meaning of the sabbath, for he takes it literally but not spiritually (AUGUSTINE). If the sabbath could be used to free animals from bondage, the sabbath could be used to free people from the bondage of sin and sickness (AMBROSE). The chief of the synagogue is not able to read the signs of this present, critical time in light of the ministry of Jesus and is consumed with jealousy and envy that Jesus is honored and worshiped as God. He and those of his ilk were being put to shame by Jesus’ words, whereas the multitudes rejoiced at the glorious things Jesus was doing (CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA).

13:10-13 | The Sabbath Miracle

GOD ALLOWS SATAN AND SIN TO BIND THIS WOMAN

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: “There was in the synagogue a woman who for eighteen years was bowed down by infirmity.” Her case may prove to be of great benefit to those who have understanding. We must gather what is to our advantage from every quarter. By what happened to her, we may see that Satan often receives authority over certain persons who fall into sin and have grown lax in their efforts toward piety. Whomever he gets into his power, he may involve in bodily diseases since he delights in punishment and is merciless. … The accursed Satan is the cause of disease to the human bodies, just we affirm that Adam’s transgression was his doing, and by means of it our bodily frames have become liable to infirmity and decay. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 96. [1]

[1] CGSL 390**.

THE INFIRM WOMAN LIKE A VINE

AMBROSE: The members of the church are similar to this vine. They are planted with the root of faith and held in check by the shoots of humility. … He placed in the church a tower of apostles, prophets and doctors who are ready to defend the peace of the church. He dug around it when he had freed it from the burden of earthly anxieties. Nothing burdens the mind more than concern for the world and lust for either wealth or power.

An example of this is in the Gospel. We can read the story of the woman “who had sickness caused by a spirit, and she was bent over so that she was unable to look upwards.” In fact, her soul was bent over. It inclined to earthly rewards and did not possess heavenly grace. Jesus saw her and addressed her. She immediately laid aside her earthly burdens. These people also were burdened with lusts. He addressed them in these words, “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” [1] The soul of that woman breathed once more and stood up like a vine around which the soil has been dug and cleared. SIX DAYS OF CREATION 3.50. [2]

[1] Mt 11:28.

[2] FC 42:104-5*.

JESUS OVERCOMES DEATH AND DESTRUCTION

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: The incarnation of the Word and his assumption of human nature took place for the overthrow of death, destruction and the envy harbored against us by the wicked Serpent, who was the first cause of evil. This plainly is proved to us by facts themselves. He set free the daughter of Abraham from her protracted sickness, calling out and saying, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.” A speech most worthy of God, and full of supernatural power! With the royal inclination of his will, he drives away the disease. He also lays his hands upon her. It says that she immediately was made straight. It is now also possible to see that his holy flesh bore in it the power and activity of God. It was his own flesh, and not that of some other Son beside him, distinct and separate from him, as some most impiously imagine. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 96. [1]

[1] CGSL 391**.

13:14-17 | The Discussion About Healing on the Sabbath

THE SYNAGOGUE LEADER TOOK THE SABBATH LITERALLY

AUGUSTINE: The whole human race, like this woman, was bent over and bowed down to the ground. Someone already understands these enemies. He cries out against them and says to God, “They have bowed my soul down.” [1] The devil and his angels have bowed the souls of men and women down to the ground. He has bent them forward to be intent on temporary and earthly things and has stopped them from seeking the things that are above. [2]

Since that is what the Lord says about the woman whom Satan had bound for eighteen years, it was now time for her to be released from her bondage on the sabbath day. Quite unjustly, they criticized him for straightening her up. Who were these, except people bent over themselves? Since they quite failed to understand the very things God had commanded, [3] they regarded them with earthbound hearts. They used to celebrate the sacrament of the sabbath [4] in a literal, material manner and did not notice its spiritual meaning. SERMON 162B. [5]

[1] Ps 57:6.

[2] See Col 3:1.

[3] Ex 20:8-11.

[4] The text says “baptism,” but the editors reasonably suggest that it is a mistake for “sabbath.”

[5] WSA 3 5:167**.

THE SABBATH IS FOR FREEDOM FROM SIN AND SICKNESS

AMBROSE: Not understanding this, the ruler of the synagogue commanded that no one should be healed on the sabbath since the sabbath is an image of a future day of rest, days of rest from evil deeds, not from good works. It is commanded that, neither bearing the burden of offenses nor being devoid of good works, we shall celebrate future sabbaths after death. The Lord then is seen to reply spiritually when he says, “You hypocrites, does not every one of you on the sabbath day untie his ox or his donkey and lead them to water?” Why did Jesus mention another creature? He showed the future to his opponents, the rulers of the synagogue. The Jewish and the Gentile peoples would lay aside the thirst of the body and the world’s heat through the abundance of the Lord’s fountain. “The ox knows his owner, and the ass his master’s feeding trough.” [1] The people who were fed on the food of common hay, which before it is plucked up is withered away, [2] received the Bread that came down from heaven. [3] EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 7.174-75. [4]

[1] Is 1:3.

[2] Ps 128:6 LXX.

[3] Jn 6:33.

[4] EHG 302**.

CHOKED WITH RAGE

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: “But he says that you are loosed from your infirmity, and she is loosed.” Well, do you not also unloose your belt on the sabbath? … Did she that very day begin weaving or working at the loom? No, he says that she was made straight. The healing was a labor. No, you are not angry because of the sabbath. Since you see Christ honored and worshiped as God, you are frantic, choked with rage, and waste away with envy. You have one thing concealed in your heart and profess and make pretext of another. For this reason you are most excellently convicted by the Lord, who knows your vain reasoning. You receive the title that fits you, being called hypocrite, pretender, and insincere. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 96. [1]

[1] CGSL 392-93**.

13:17 | The Reaction of Jesus’ Opponents and the Crowds

SHAME AND GLADNESS

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: Shame fell then on those who had uttered these corrupt opinions, stumbled against the chief cornerstone, and had been broken. When busied in straightening his crooked vessels, they clashed against the wise Potter and resisted the Physician. They could make no reply. They had unanswerably convicted themselves. They were put to silence, doubting what they should say. The Lord closed their bold mouths. The crowds who reaped the benefit of the miracles were glad. The glory and splendor of his works solved all inquiry and doubt in those who sought him without ill will. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 96. [1]

[1] CGSL 393**.