Grace and Space

Lk 13:10-17
Set free: The woman, crippled by a spirit for 18 years, is incapable of standing erect. In the ancient world, any type of affliction was considered an indication that a “spirit” or “Satan” had a hold on the person. Therefore, the woman needs to be liberated from the spirit’s power.
Jesus, “filled with the holy Spirit,” has already defeated Satan in the desert (cf 4:1-13) and inaugurated the kingdom of God. Declaring the woman freed from her infirmity and laying his hands on her, Jesus demonstrates that God’s kingdom is present now and is manifest in the healing of a “daughter of Abraham,” an heir of the promises of God.
Jesus’ ministry began with his rejection from a synagogue (cf 4:16-30); this section of Luke’s Gospel ends with a confrontation in a synagogue. The leader of the synagogue does not confront Jesus directly, although he is indignant that Jesus has cured on the Sabbath. He voices his objection to the crowd. The manifestation of the kingdom of God, however, is not limited. In fact, the law is lenient enough to permit the untying of oxen and asses on the Sabbath for the purpose of leading them to water. If this can be done, Jesus argues, then certainly a woman can be released from her illness.
Thus, Jesus declares God’s kingdom to be superior to the Sabbath law. Gradually, the kingdom spreads throughout the world, and it heals all those who accept it.