Jesus Saw Her and He Sees Us Too
“When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said to her, ‘Woman, you are freed from your disability’” (Luke 13:12, ESV).
I watched my ringless hand reach for the glass door of the enormous church in my new town.
Everything inside me begged it not to be true. Begged the betrayal to be a bad dream, the unraveling of almost 20 years of a life I loved to be some terrible misunderstanding.
On a soul level, I begged God to see me and heal the parts of me lost in the ending I didn’t choose. To heal the pain of feeling unwanted and unchosen, the grief that filled every corner of my life.
Slipping in near the back of the sanctuary, I let the tears fall and listened as the pastor read Luke 13, the story of the woman who, for 18 years, had been bent over and couldn’t straighten herself. Everything slowed down when I heard these words:
“When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said to her, ‘Woman, you are freed from your disability’” (Luke 13:12).
It landed like a holy hush in my heart.
I saw myself standing beside that woman, wondering what it took for her to make her way to the synagogue that day — hurting and carrying years of suffering. The grief of a life she didn’t choose mingling with hope for something more.
And then, in a moment that changed everything for her, Jesus saw her in a room full of people, stopped what He was doing, and called her over. The gentle voice of the Messiah, saying her name and speaking freedom into her life.
I love that Jesus gives His personal attention to the bent and broken. He notices suffering that others miss. No pain, grief, or season of brokenness goes unseen by Him.
If you’re where I was, can I remind you?
Bring your whole story to Jesus. There will never be a time when He doesn’t want all the pieces of your broken heart.
Let yourself listen past the deafening pain for the voice of your Messiah. His voice reaches us on a soul level, bringing freedom and filling us with hope.
We are seen by the same Savior who saw our sister all those years ago. If we had been in that synagogue, He would have stopped for us too.
When the story we’re carrying looks nothing like the one we had planned, His voice, gentle and full of healing, calls us to come closer. Lean in and listen closely for the kind voice of a Savior who saw a broken woman that day, who saw me in that dimly lit sanctuary, and who sees you now. May we trust Him with every piece of our story.
He is writing something beautiful.
Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me so much that You call me by name. When the pain feels too heavy and the loss too much, help me to listen for Your voice and turn over all the broken pieces to You. I trust You, Jesus. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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FOR DEEPER STUDY
Isaiah 43:1-2, “But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you’” (ESV).
Which part of this passage do you feel God is highlighting for you today, and what invitation do you sense He is extending through it?
What does it mean to you to live as someone who is fully known and fully loved by God? Share with us in the comments!
Proverbs 31 Ministries
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www.Proverbs31.org
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