In today’s passage, Jesus heals a crippled woman. The woman was “bowed together” and couldn’t straighten out. So it was a severe physical handicap, and Jesus healed her of it in an instant.

Back in Luke 4:18, Jesus stated that part of his mission was to “set at liberty those who are oppressed,” and that’s what he does to this woman who is bound by a terrible infirmity. He sets the woman at liberty, and that leads to two different responses. The religious leaders oppose Jesus, but most of the people approve of what he’s doing. So as we read the text, we should think about our own response to Jesus.

Additionally, we should learn a few things about the importance of mercy and compassion over man-made traditions. Meeting a person’s need is more important than keeping man-made rules.