Jeremiah 1:4-10; Psalm 71:1-6; Hebrews 12:18-29; Luke 13:10-17
Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost – Proper 16 – August 24, 2025
In Luke 13:10-17, we find a story of compassion and healing. A compassion and healing capable of breaking rules or laws that are unjust. And when they aren’t, I have a moral and spiritual obligation to break them.
“Don’t be under any illusions.” That’s the leader’s message to the crowd gathered on Saturday, who had just received a spark of hope. That’s the leader’s response to Jesus’ miraculous healing of a woman’s terrible suffering. Not here, not today, not for the rest of you. Imagine being in church and seeing someone healed and restored, and immediately wanting to make sure no one else has the chance. It bothers me, it brings tears to my eyes.
Here we see Jesus not only heal a woman who had suffered for eighteen years, but also reveal the essence of God’s compassion for people in need. This story reminds us how Jesus’ compassion, power, and justice transcend cultural, religious, and social expectations. Let us reflect on this passage to understand the depth of God’s mercy and how we are called to embody that same compassion.
Jesus’ mercy is seen even on holy days (Luke 13:10). The story begins on a Sabbath, a day set aside for rest and worship according to Jewish law. Jesus teaches in a synagogue, showing us his respect for worship and tradition. However, Jesus’ actions reveal that mercy and compassion should not be limited to a specific time. Jesus was willing to heal, no matter the day, demonstrating that God’s love is constant and boundless.
Luke 13:11 presents us with a woman who has suffered greatly. For eighteen years, she was bent over and unable to stand upright. Her physical condition also reflects the emotional and spiritual burden she likely carried. Jesus sees not only a physical affliction, but also a soul in need of healing and liberation from slavery. This is why I prefer to speak of holistic liberation that includes salvation.
Jesus’ compassion upon seeing her (Luke 13:12) doesn’t wait for her to ask for healing. His compassion moves him to act. He calls her to draw near, initiating the healing. And this is how the church should act: with initiative. In that moment, Jesus demonstrates that God’s love sees our suffering and reaches out to heal us, even when we feel invisible or unworthy.
After being healed, the woman immediately praises God. Her gratitude reflects the joy and freedom she feels, and her praise becomes a testimony to all those present. When God touches our lives, our natural response is gratitude, and this gratitude bears witness to his goodness to others.
The synagogue leader opposes the healing, arguing that it shouldn’t be done on the Sabbath. He prioritizes tradition over compassion, overlooking the purpose of the Sabbath, which is meant to bring rest and renewal. His reaction reveals a mindset focused on rigid adherence to rules rather than a compassionate heart.
This is why Jesus’ response to hypocrisy in Luke 13:15 exposes the synagogue leader’s falsehood, pointing out that people care for their animals on the Sabbath. Why should they oppose healing a suffering woman? Jesus’ rebuke teaches us to guard against legalism and prioritize compassion over rules, especially when people’s lives and well-being are at stake.
In the reading from Jeremiah 1, we learn that God knows you personally; you have been set apart for a purpose; and do not be afraid of your calling. God knows if I am being hypocritical in my relationship with God or with other people.
From the reading of Hebrews, we must remember that this book was written for Jewish Christians facing persecution, urging them to remain steadfast in their faith in the midst of trials. This is a call to perseverance in the struggle to build a better world.
In this context, we must always remember the importance of liberating oppressed people (Luke 13:16): Jesus refers to the woman as a “daughter of Abraham,” emphasizing her worth and rightful place among the people of God. She deserved to be freed from her suffering, just as any oppressed or afflicted person deserves compassion and justice. Jesus’ mission is not only to heal, but also to free those held captive by any form of oppression.
Sisters and brothers, I recognize that rules are an essential part of any society, as they provide structure and order. However, as Christians, there are times when we may find ourselves at a crossroads, where following human rules conflicts with our call to obey God’s higher law. In such situations, it is important to discern when breaking the rules is not only acceptable, but necessary to remain faithful to our faith. Remember that everything Hitler did was legal, slavery was legal, what the Israeli government is doing—massacre of the Palestinian people—is within its legality, which they have a divine right to protect themselves, and President Trump’s atrocities against immigrants are practically within the context of what is legal. You and I know that those who issue oppression always find ways to legalize that oppression because they manipulate institutions. Now, are we going to sit idly by, or are we going to act? This is what this message is about: listening to what Mahatma Gandhi tells us: “When a law is unjust, the right thing to do is disobey.” It’s about imitating Jesus and embodying compassion for others.
Brothers and sisters, in this story from Luke 13:10-17, Jesus broke the unjust rules that oppress people. He reveals God’s compassion, reminding us that healing and liberation are essential parts of his kingdom-community. Jesus challenges us to act with mercy, to look beyond the rules when they conflict with compassion, and to oppose any form of oppression. Like the woman, we are invited to experience his healing and, in turn, to be instruments of his compassion in a world that desperately needs it. Let us be grateful, merciful people and embody Jesus’ healing love in all we do. And above all, let us develop a radical discipleship of breaking or disobeying unjust laws. Amen and Ashe.