Luke 13:16 says, “And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?” Legalism will blind you. The ruler of the synagogue had become so legalistic, that he couldn’t even appreciate the miracle that happened right in front of his face! However, it seems in the story that when Jesus pointed out his hypocrisy, he was ashamed. This verse is packed with vital information. Let’s get into God’s Word.

First, the word ought means “shouldn’t“ or “it is needful”. Jesus was saying, “This is the right thing to do.” Do what? Heal. Why? She was a covenant child. As a Christian, you are a covenant child of God. It is right and needful for you to be healed as far as Jesus is concerned. Second, notice who was behind her sickness. Satan is the one who oppresses, or binds, with sickness. We have already seen this in Acts 10:38. Satan binds - Jesus looses. Satan oppresses - Jesus sets free. Finally, we see it was proper to heal on the Sabbath day. Why? Because the Sabbath was a day of rest. This woman could now rest after 18 years. Jesus gave her rest. He healed her. What better day to be healed, than on the day of rest? When we cease from our own works, we can enter in to God’s rest.

There are some things that can hinder our receiving our healing. It’s God’s will for all to be saved - but are all saved? No. It is God’s will for all to be healed - but are all healed? No. Things like pride and unbelief can hinder us being saved, and so they can hinder our being healed. We must believe, “When we pray”; not when we see. Another hindrance can be not walking in love. Faith works by love (Gal 5:6), so if you are not walking in love, your faith can be hindered. 1Cor 13 shows us what God’s kind of love is. A third hindrance is unforgiveness. Unforgiveness can eat at you, and make you sick. It is a bitter root. We must forgive from the heart. No one was done more wrong than Jesus was. However, He said, “Father, forgive them. They know not what they do.” We must walk in forgiveness. It’s just not worth carrying it around. It can make you heart sick and bodily sick. Make a decision to forgive, then ask God to help you do it.

Another hindrance to healing is envy and strife. The Bible says where these are, there is also confusion and “every evil work”. We know sickness is evil, not good. Envy and strife can make you physically ill. Be at peace. Eliminate strife from your life. It will raise it’s ugly head when you are weak, but cut it’s head off with forgiveness, love, and peace. Do you always want the last word? You can have it by apologizing. Finally, sin can also be a hindrance. James 5 tells us to confess our faults to one another, that we may be healed. Unconfessed sin can eat at you, and make your faith “shipwreck”. In other words, your own conscience will fight against you. You know your own heart, and if you know you are in sin, you will have a hard time receiving from God. I’m not saying that if you commit a sin, that your going to get sick. I am saying, that if The Holy Spirit has been dealing with you, and you ignore Him - your own conscience won’t allow you to receive. In this case, pride can literally kill you.

In summary, let us look at Proverbs 4:20-23. God’s Word says that if we will pay attention and listen closely to His Word; and read His Word and meditate on it - that it will be life and health to our bodies. Out of the heart flow the issues of life. If the heart is not established on God’s Word, then the issues that flow from it will be doubt and unbelief. On the other hand, if it is full of God’s Word, life and health will flow from it. And as a man thinks in his heart, so is he. If healing is a reality to your heart, it will manifest in your body. We must listen to God’s Word. We must speak God’s Word. Nothing else will suffice. We cannot fake heart faith. We must establish our heart on God’s eternal Word. I pray this series has helped you, and I pray that you would receive your healing and be in health, even as your soul prospers. In Jesus Name, Amen. Until next time, rejoice in The Lord!