“One Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman there had been disabled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was hunched over and could not stand up straight.  When Jesus saw her, He called her over and said, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.”… Luke 13 – 11:12

How ironic that the most appropriate, natural, essential, life-preserving posture of the creature in relation to The Creator is always on the most fundamental level, one of veneration – of being bowed down, indeed even to fall prostrate before Him (as we have no ability to contain Him. We are only capable of existing in your presence by conferred righteousness in your grace and mercy – much less capable are we of seeing you face to face in our fallen, unperfected estate).

In this case, the source of the woman’s disability is spiritual. The Word makes no reference as to whether or not there was sin in her life that could have created an opening for the spirit to afflict her. It’s irrelevant. What we can take away from the scenario depicted here is that her proximity to the Maker and Master of all things was sufficient for her need. Positioning herself to be in His presence was an act of her will. Her posture, “ironically” was by default bowed.
She could not face The Master for “she was hunched over and could not stand up straight.” It was He who saw her; called her close to Him, and released her from her infirmity.  What a process of amazing grace. Culminating in a public display of  and testament to your love and mercy – worthy of a public testimony of displays of thanksgiving.

Whether it’s the woman with the issue of blood pressing her way to the hem of His garment (Matthew 9:20). Whether He beckons Peter across the water toward Him (Matthew 14:25-32), Whether You arrive on shore to rescue a demon-possessed man by commanding devils to flee (Luke 8: 26-38), Whether You’re beseeched by a believing friend or family member to restore health to an ailing family member, or chastised for allowing a loved one to die (Martha’s lament “Lord if you had been here, my brother would not have died” John 11:32) – when He arrives, when He turns his attention toward us, when He gazes upon us – everything changes.

You never seem to dispatch remote lightning bolts of healing from afar … Your mercies, new every day, are proximate and personal when we are positioned.  Notice that the father whose daughter was healed, was with Jesus when he was given the news she had died (Luke 8:49) His proximity creating opportunity for Yeshua’s intervention. Your transforming graces testify of your faithful unfathomably love, and unfailing, incomparable power. They translate us from death to life.

Now Master, in the midst of our confusion, and our fear, our hope and our loss, grant our heart’s desire to draw near to You, and let us testify of your goodness toward us. Selah.

James 4:8, ESV: “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. … Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.”