But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, “There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day.” Luke 13:14
Jesus made those in control uneasy. While He didn’t tell people to overthrow the government or quit listening to the temple leaders, His lessons often made those in power feel uncomfortable because His teaching often pointed to their mistreatment of others or the wrongful use of their power. Sometimes it was a matter of Jesus getting the attention the powerful thought was rightfully theirs.
That could be the case in this story. Why would the synagogue leader be upset that Jesus cured someone? He says that because it is the Sabbath, this shouldn’t have been done at this time or in this place. Perhaps he thinks it will distract people from worship.
It’s more likely that the leader feels threatened by the display of love and true power Jesus displays in healing the crippled woman in this passage. Does Jesus love ever convict us when we think we are in control? It’s the same lesson He is giving the man in this passage – God’s love and care transcends any human plans! Don’t let our selfish desire to be in charge block your connection to God.
Loving Lord, we know You control all things, but we sometimes get wrapped up in earthly concerns and lose sight of this. Help us to let go of our need to try to run things and let Your plan be the path we follow. Amen.