The Call

Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And behold, there was a woman who had had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your disability.” And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and she glorified God. (Luke 13:10-13 ESV)

Have you ever suffered from back pain? After one operation and continuing chronic back pain over the years, I can certainly tell you a little about it, but there are many with much more severe problems than my own. Let us take, for example, the woman in the verses above.

The verses above tell us that this woman’s back had been bent over for eighteen years. Imagine the pain and suffering she endured. The verses also indicate that the source of her condition was a demon. Her body was bent double at the waist and, obviously, physicians could not help. In her own strength, she could not overcome her physical condition.