“Eighteen LONG years” (Part 1)

You may be familiar with the account of the old woman Jesus healed, who had been bowed over for eighteen years. Here’s the account, beginning in Luke 13:

Luke 13:10 On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, 11 and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” 13 Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.

Just a few notes here.  This woman had been crippled, not by osteoarthritis or other physical causes, but by a spirit, an evil spirit.  Some believe there are only physical causes for sickness, but the Bible disagrees.  She was crippled by a spirit that had made its home on her for 18 years.

One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is “discerning of spirits” or the ability to sense if a spirit is present, usually in a ministry situation.  The gifts are rarely taught today, so unfortunately, many who might have otherwise received relief do not receive such.

Does this mean that all sickness has a spirit as a direct cause?  No, that is not supported by scripture.  Many times, Jesus would simply declare healing or lay hands on the sick for healing.  Besides, gifts of healing would not be needed if this was so; we would simply cast a demon out each time and minister healing that way.  (This has not stopped some ministers from doing this though!)

There are sicknesses caused by or rooted solely in physical reasons, but it is clear from the Word that there are also sicknesses caused solely by evil spirits. And there are likely to be combinations also.

When Jesus put his hands on her, the spirit had to leave, it could not remain in the presence of the anointing of the Holy Spirit.  Some think that casting out devils is the only way to deal with them.  This is not the case.  Jesus did not cast it out, he ministered by the laying on of hands.

A word of caution – please be trained and mentored in deliverance before you do deliverance this way.  Also, if you go around laying hands on folk with unsavory secrets in your own life, it may be risky for you.  You clearly should not be involved in deliverance if you are bound in sin.  Let the wise reader understand.

I love the fact that Jesus interrupted his sermon to minister to this old woman.  He did not let programs interfere with compassion.  He called her forward right away and ministered healing to her and she was healed.  Don’t let programs interfere with compassion.  Jesus did not.

The old woman was immediately healed and praised God for it.  Can you see that God gets glory when people are healed, not by people being sick?  After she was healed, what did she do?  I love it.   She straightened up and praised God!!

When was she praising God, before or after her healing? Afterwards, Glory to God!  Yes, you might say, but we should praise God all the time.  Agreed.  However, praise is for something done.  She could not and did not praise God for healing her before she got healed.  She praised God AFTER she got healed.

Some praise God for their sickness.  Sorry, I’m not in that select group.  The Bible says in James: “Is anyone sick?  Let him call the elders to anoint him with oil….”  Not let him praise God. God receives praise when you are well, so get healed and praise Him for healing you.

To be continued..