The God Who Sees, The One He Loves

Tuesday, September 8

Luke 13:14-16 (NKJV)

“But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, “There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day.” The Lord then answered him and said, “Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?”

Devoción

Before the beginning of time, God knew the woman in this story. He knew every line on her face, every distinct feature that made her unique. Because before she was born, God, the Creator, shaped her according to His blueprint, with His thoughts and plans in mind. The psalmist records in Psalm 139:14, “I praise You, for I am fearfully (reverently and respectfully) and wonderfully (distinct and set apart) made. Marvelous are Your works, and I know this very well.”

The Heavenly Father made this woman with much love and intentional thought, as He did with each one of us. The God who saw the end from the beginning saw this day, and He had a plan in mind.

Jesus was teaching in the synagogue on the Sabbath. Time had elapsed in this woman’s life, and she was now permanently bent over. Jesus saw her, not just physically, but He “saw” her. He knew her before the beginning, and He identified her as His. He called this woman to Him and spoke of her as a “daughter of Abraham.” He knew that Satan had oppressed her for eighteen years, and now this was the day she was to be loosed. Love does that when compassion is on the move.

The religious leader of the synagogue, however, criticized Jesus’ actions because he was blinded by his own religious list of “do’s and don’ts.” He did not personally know the God who wrote the law, who healed all our diseases and redeemed our life from destruction, who crowned us with lovingkindness and tender mercies. But that day, Jesus demonstrated to the crowd a different perspective. Jesus, the expression of God’s love clothed in flesh, moved in compassion to fulfill the law. In His love, He healed her, regardless of what day it was.

Using today’s verse as a backdrop, where should our faith rest? Is it in our good works? No. Jesus did not move because the woman did many works. He moved because she was His. Is it believing as hard as we can? Again, no. She did not even ask to be healed. Our faith is to be anchored in the One who loved us with all of His life, who knew us before time, who saw us before we were born, and who spilled His blood so we could be with Him forever. His name is Jesus.

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he that comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6

Oración de hoy

Querido Padre Celestial,

Thank You for loving me. For sending Your only Son to redeem my life from destruction. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross, I trust You now with my life. I trust You with everything—my past, the present, and the days to come. I want to know You more. Reveal to me who You are through Your Word and in communion with You every day in prayer. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Aplíquelo hoy mismo

Meditate on God’s love for you today. Embrace it. You are loved. You can breathe again. Reflect on how this changes the way you see yourself and how you treat others. Now, begin to walk in this new perspective.

Recursos

• What looks impossible isn’t impossible for God. He can turn situations around, restore what was lost, and make a way where there seems to be no way. Take a moment to watch “God Can Reverse It” and be reminded that God is still working.

• Scripture Trail: Read Luke 13:10–17 and Genesis 16:13