Daily Reflections ...

Today’s reading speaks of imprisonment, a lack of freedom.

For eighteen years, this woman was unable to stand erect, her deformed body keeping her a prisoner. She presumably would have been unable to work, and all of her daily tasks would have been very difficult. Her life was hard. In just a few seconds, Jesus heals her from this misery.

But the Pharisees too, are imprisoned. Stuck behind the bars of their rigid rule following and confined to the tunnel vision of their legalistic beliefs. Not free to believe in the freedom and salvation that Jesus is offering.

What joy are we missing out on because we are set in our ways? Are we holding on to beliefs and practices that are actually keeping us imprisoned?

Let us “rejoice at all the splendid deeds done by Him”. Let us live unshackled from bondage. Let us not be crippled by legalism and conformity. Let us “stand up straight and glorify God”.

by Katherine Gilmore