Reflection Questions

1. Read Job 1-2 and then Luke 13.10-17. What similarities do you see in the afflictions of Job and the precious woman in the synagogue?

2. What are the dimensions of the precious woman’s affliction? What might her experience of: pain, physical impairment, accessibility to community helps and activities, capacity to do fruitful work, etc. been like?

3. Read v12-13 at least three times. What stands out to you in Jesus’ response to this precious woman’s affliction.

4. The mighty and merciful reign of God in Christ breaks into this precious woman’s life. What are the results for her?

5. How does the ruler of the synagogue respond? What man-made religious rules is he particularly concerned about (Luke 13.14)?

6. If you read the Sabbath command in Deuteronomy 5.12-15 carefully, two purposes of the day of rest, the Jewish Sabbath, emerge. Firstly, it is ‘to the LORD your God’ (v14). That is, it is for thanking, praising, glorifying, enjoying, listening to the LORD. Secondly, it is a celebration of freedom ‘Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the LORD your God commanded you to observe the Sabbath day.’ (v15). In short, the rest day is for the LORD and for freedom.

 How does Jesus’ healing of this woman (Luke 13.12-13) truly fulfil the purposes of the Sabbath?

How does the ruler of the synagogue work against these purposes?

What is the religious leaders’ great inconsistency? (Luke 13.15-16)

7. Jesus’ death and resurrection broke the power of Satan, provides for our forgiveness, and is the great work that provides for physical renewal of our bodies and the world. The power evil, sin, illness, death, and decay are broken through the cross and the resurrection. The kingdom of God triumphs. However, in the Gospel, our forgiveness and renewal of character are promised to us now, whereas renewal of our bodies and the world is not promised for us to experience until Christ returns (eg. see 1 Corinthians 15, or Revelation 21.1-5).

This means that sometimes the faithful Christian might still live with a physical burden or illness until Christ returns.

Paul (who lived and served with a physical illness or burden) gives us a helpful example of responding to such circumstances of physical trial. What can we learn from Paul? (2 Corinthians 12.1-10).

8. Read Luke 13.18-19. Our church gatherings, ministries, and groups, can be like a humble mustard bush. Not powerful or mighty (like a tall Cedar) but useful as homes for birds from heaven. Useful as places where people from Frankston can find the reign of God in Jesus. Think of a group you are involved with. How can you promote the mighty and merciful reign of Jesus in your group? How can your group be more than a social or friendship gathering?