Jesus said it was Satan who had bound the woman, mentioned in Luke 13:10-17, for eighteen years.

Man has fallen in to the domain and under the power of Satan. Besides that, he is himself sinful and weak in character — too weak to straighten himself out….totally unable to make himself right with God.

Imagine for a moment the wife of a famous medical doctor suffering from various ailments without asking her husband’s help. We do worse when we fail to come to the One who can help us. Sooner or later life has a way of forcing us to realize our neglect of God.

Be sure to read carefully our text in Luke’s Gospel. There you will see why every burdened soul ought to “seek the Lord while he may be found.”

I. THE HELPLESSNESS OF THE VICTIM

The poor invalid woman “was bent over and could not straighten up at all.” How many are like that! Perhaps you have a sickness. Has it drawn you to the Saviour? Have you read James 5:14-16?

Or, maybe your trials are material — caught in a maze of bills. Or, perhaps you are spiritually weak, the victim of some habit. Or is it emotional instability — forever up and down — and mostly down?

Listen, do not trust your own resolve alone. Surrender your life to the living Christ. Try Him!

II. THE CARELESSNESS OF OTHERS

Jesus really blistered the Pharisees who protested against his healing on their Sabbath. They did not care for the bowed and broken ones. It is still that way today. You will not find many who care about your problems; don’t run to men.

Some folks delight in munching on the supposed sins of others. GOSSIP! Can you imagine a fiend who delighted in pulling and twisting the broken limbs of injured people? Well, that is the way some people are with broken hearts and lives of others.

Perhaps there are some reading this who do care. God can use you to comfort and encourage others. He always works through Christians who care.

III. THE POWERFULNESS OF CHRIST

Deep in troubled hearts usually lurks the thought, “I have so long been gripped by this sin or held by this problem, there is no hope for change.” Read Luke 8:27 and John 5:6 and then our text. All these victims had been a long while bowed down….until Jesus came!

Now, briefly get the impact of the words in verse 12. “Jesus saw her.” He still sees individuals today. Learn from creation. God is just as concerned for the microscopic details as for planets. He knows you, and He cares.

Next, “he called her to him.” You that hear His voice today, harden not your hearts. Soon she heard the divine
words, “you are set free from your infirmity!” “Then he put his hands on her.” Oh, you can know that healing for your life, too!  “Immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.”

“Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidd’st me come to Thee
O Lamb of God, I come! I come!”