Loosed From Your Infirmity

The Lord Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath Day, and one of the persons that was there was a woman who it says had a spirit of infirmity. The word "infirmity" here in the Greek is Ασθενειας (Asthenias). It refers to a great weakness of body or mind; by implication something which had greatly hindered this woman's being able to move at all, or to stand up straight. She no doubt had great difficulty walking, and perhaps she was in much pain because of it. It was a great bodily weakness which it says that she had for 18 years. She was bent over and could in no way raise herself it says here. It should bring great encouragement to everyone here who has bodily weaknesses, and perhaps have had them for a long time, that the Lord Jesus, who had come there to the synagogue to teach the people, He took notice of her. He thought particularly about what He could do for her to help her, and that which would glorify God. He knew what He was called to do, and He knew what He was able to do. And He knew that His helping this poor woman would bring glory to God on this particular Sabbath Day. It would show forth His power to save people from their sins.