Luke :13:10 Now HE was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And there was a woman who had had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years; she was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. And when JESUS saw her, HE called her and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your infirmity.” And HE laid HIS hands upon her, and immediately she was made straight, and she praised GOD.
DISCUSSION
JESUS was a teacher. HE spoke in parables in order to try to open his listener’s minds and hearts to the word of GOD. HE taught “by example” in the way HE loved others, in the way that HE “saw” people who suffered. In the way HE extended HIMSELF to the poor and to people in need--the lost, the ignored, the poor, those bonds by sickness and sin.
HE taught lessons of service, sacrifice, compassion and community in a world that favored, “separation,” “racial bias,” “religious bias,” “elitism” “self-interest,” and “bondage.”
The synagogue was a Jewish place of worship. It was the place where the religious leaders often gathered. However, the prominent sects of Judaism during the time of CHRIST---the Pharisees, the Sadducees and Essenes [some might even include the Zealots], however believed themselves “separate” from each other and often the people.
The name “Pharisee” by definition meant “separated one” for they saw themselves as Hebrews who “separated themselves” from every kind of impurity, according the Mosaic law of purity. The Pharisee were so caught up in the “letter of the law”-- ritualistic hand washing, avoiding “sin” and “sinners”-- that they often missed “the SPIRIT of GOD’s law,” which JESUS demonstrated.
According to Smith’s Bible Dictionary, there were seven kinds of Pharisees. This group included: “Bleeders: who to avoid looking at women shut their eyes and so bump their heads,” “Mortars: wearing caps in the form of a mortar, covering their eyes from seeing impurities,” and “Fearers: who keep the law for fear of a judgment.”
The Pharisee probably walked by this woman every r day, as if she were part of the dirt on the road. They did not “see” the woman and some, like the “Bleeder” would have looked away or intentionally crossed over to the other side. This woman was not part of “their world” or “their community.” The idea that someone would interact in public with this woman, extend a hand to this woman must have been an “incomprehensible lesson” for the Pharisee. The sick, all women---but especially women like her--- were to be avoided. Any Pharisee would vehemently proclaim to love GOD and the Mosaic law---but not this woman.
When JESUS had compassion for this bent over woman, HE was teaching a lesson on love. HE was trying to show that in order to love GOD, we must love “one another,” including “the lost,” and “the bent over.” HE also wanted us to know that no matter “how bent over” and “bent out of shape” we may be, HE can lift our burdens, straighten out our lives and set us free.
GOOD POSTURE
Aging, a sedentary lifestyle or lack of activity can seriously affect a person’s posture.
By the time a person reaches eighty, if not sooner, it is common to lose as much as 2 inches in height, have changes in posture and compression of joints. Medical conditions (e.g. back, neck, hip or other medical conditions) can also affect one’s posture. Leading a sedentary lifestyle can also increase one’s risk for back problems and poor posture:
Sedentary people miss out on the benefits of regular physical activity, including nourishment of spinal discs, soft tissues and ligaments. When there's a lack of exercise, discs become malnourished and degenerated.
Strengthening exercises for the muscles of the back and abdomen can help provide better support for the spine.
Participating in a regular exercise program that includes stretching, strengthening and low-impact aerobic conditioning can help heal existing problems and prevent future ones.
"Movement and exercise also keep the spine healthy, flexible and strong," says Dr. Finkel. "Gentle forms of exercise, such as yoga, Pilates, water therapy, riding a stationary bike or walking, are especially helpful."
See, “Common Causes of Back Pain,” www.mylifestages.org/health/back/.
According to one writer, one of the number one reasons for doing exercises, weight lifting, doing tai chi, yoga, Pilates, dancing or other activities that focus on posture is that you look better—taller, thinner, younger and more relaxed:
"When we're slumped over, our folds of excess flab are bunched together," says Lynn Millar, PhD, PT, a professor of physical therapy at Andrews University and a fellow at the American College of Sports Medicine.
See, “Look Thinner In An Instant,” by Charlotte E. Grayson Mathis, MD, March 3, 2005, www. WebMD.com.
Be mindful of your posture during the day. If you are sitting at a computer, try not to slouch or lean forward, overstretching the spinal ligaments or straining your neck or back. Uncross your knees and bend them at a 90 degree angle. Be mindful also of how you are sitting in a car.
Sometimes people have poor posture even at the gym—hunched over Stairmaster machines or using other machines incorrectly. So, it you are not familiar with exercise machines or want a “posture check,” consult a credentialed trainer.
Another writer noted that stroke victims are often left with severe imbalances in certain muscle groups, resulting in poor posture. However:
"If we can get them into better posture, we open their lungs up and get them breathing better so they fatigue less easily."
Id.
If you have a medical condition, consult your personal physician, who may in term refer you to a physical therapist.
LEARNING THE LESSONS OF JESUS
There are times when life can cause us to be bent over. Sometimes we are bent over about jobs, exams, children, illness, financial problems, loneliness or uncertainty. We can all derive comfort knowing that JESUS “sees” us. HE knows and HE cares. More importantly, HE can set us free. I Philippians 4:11-13.
We also must to be mindful of those “bent over” in our communities. It is easy to ignore people on the street, sex trafficking, high school dropout rates and those languishing in prison. We must continuously reject the rhetoric of “separateness,” “wall building” “seclusion” “bigotry” and “superiority.” We cannot afford to simply “wash our hand” of the “other people’s” problems. If we love GOD, we are mandated to also love one another. See, 1 John 4: 20-21.
Many will posture and make claims about how great they are. Our job is to achieve a better posture—the posture of “servant”--- helping those who are bent over.
Today, pray for sight and insight. Pray that we learn the lessons of JESUS.
See, pray, learn, have great posture and BE BLESSED!
