One Sabbath day, as Jesus was teaching in a synagogue, he saw a woman who had been crippled by an evil spirit. She had been bent double for eighteen years, and was unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Dear woman, you are healed of your sickness! Then he touched her, and instantly she could stand straight. How she praised God! Luke 13: 10-13. NLT.

One thing teachers, usually don’t like to have to deal with, is interruptions. They are focusing on communicating their thought–giving their best so their listeners will get their point, but here we find Jesus interrupting his own teaching because he saw a woman in need. But is this an example that we too, should be following? Personally, I think it might be appropriate!

I don’t know if you have ever saw a person who was bent double, I have. I felt so sorry for them. For the most part, to them, it is a ground level view of life–full of shoes, legs and a very sore neck trying to look up. Eating may be difficult because of the angle the esophagus and stomach are in. This condition robbed her of the ability to have a lap. She couldn’t hold her babies like normal or even communication with others was hindered.

This woman had been in this condition for 18 years. I am sure by now she had adapted as best she could. People around her had grown used to her as well. Nobody expected anything different for her, that was just her life. But one Sabbath day, Jesus saw her.

One Sabbath, this un-named faithful woman went to the synagogue in spite of her condition. I don’t think she made any excuses that she couldn’t stand or sit very long, she went as usual. Sometimes we may feel if we don’t do something extra ordinary, we won’t receive anything extra ordinary–but it is often doing the right thing that puts us in the right place for the right thing to happen. But her faithfulness put her in the right place for the most extraordinary thing to happen.

Jesus saw her. He stopped teaching and called her over, laid hands on her and she was healed. Then he touched her, and instantly she could stand straight. What an amazing sight it must have been. Then the scripture goes on to say: How she praised God. What a rightful response!

This woman was worth Jesus stopping his teaching to bring freedom to her life. Who is worth your stopping? Your interruption? It is hard in our busy world to make the stops sometimes. Maybe she was a beloved and cared for woman, or maybe she was just a deformed woman everyone took for granted who hid in the background. We don’t know. But what we do know is after 18 years of suffering, our Lord saw her and set her free. He stopped what He was doing and released her. Maybe sharing a smile, a word of encouragement or compliment may help someone feel seen or freed. Stopping and really looking at your food server or check-out person can make their day. Giving a gift of food or even a little cash makes a difference. My friends, if Jesus can stop his teaching to help someone, what can we do? This means we must first stop focusing on just ourselves, and that can be a hard thing to do, right? I want to share a very small example:

While I was in the check out- line at the grocery store the other day, I overheard the check out person talking with the bagger. The bagger was an older woman who, apparently, wasn’t feeling her best. To be honest, she didn’t look too well either. After I paid and received my bag, I simply leaned over to her, touched her shoulder and (out loud) but quietly asked Jesus to touch her. She looked startled, but then smiled as I wished her a better day. I have never seen her before, nor probably will I ever again, but I do know I did my best to encourage her. Was it appropriate? I don’t know, but it was in my heart to do so. I keep praying for her as well. This was a quick stop in both our days, prayerfully, I believe it made a difference.

I think sometimes, we are afraid to “stop” because we are afraid it might “cost” us more than we want to give. We may feel overwhelmed with the time, talent or treasure it may involve, so we pass on by. But we can’t possible consider what it may be purchasing, not only for the other person, but also for ourselves. If the Holy Spirit says stop, then stop. We can trust Him for provision and blessing, we truly can.

Father, I thank you for helping us not be afraid to “stop” and follow the Holy Spirit lead. Help us overcome our fear that it might “cost” us more than we want to give, or fear we aren’t enough. You are always enough, dear Lord, and we trust You to help us in this area. In Jesus Name, amen.