And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. Luke 13:13
The MacAuley mission in New York reported on the case of a man who had been tall and well built with handsome features until he became involved in a life of gross immorality and sin. Because of his great shame, this man, instead of standing upright in his strength, slunk about with stooped shoulders and hanging head, a picture of disgrace and shame. One night at the mission, as he listened to a Gospel message, this man knelt in repentance and trusted Christ as his Saviour. Suddenly, the shackles of shame that had bound him were loosened, and this man stood up straight and impressive in his physical appearance, as transformed physically as he was spiritually. Each year, on the anniversary of his conversion, this man returned to the mission to give his testimony. Because of a speech impediment, he would have someone else read the account of his conversion. As he stood while the account was being read, the man would initially be bowed over with stooped shoulders and lowered head until the point of his conversion was reached. At that point, he would stand erect and impressive, in his transformed appearance. Such a testimony made a great impression on the listeners. Just as the transformed appearance of the women in our text had on those around her in the synagogue.
This woman had been bowed over for 18 years, helpless to lift herself erect. That changed as the Lord Jesus declared that she was loosed from her infirmity and as He laid His healing hands on her. Our text tells us that she was immediately made straight. While this is referring to her physical condition, it would also apply to her spiritual condition as well. One of the first signs of divine life in a new convert is a desire to be obedient to the Word of God. New converts become honest before men and faithful toward God. The transformation occurs immediately, as the Holy Spirit takes up residence in the believer. This is a great testimony to those who see it, and God has often used such transformations to reach others in need of salvation.
The second change in this woman was that she glorified God. There was no glory in her previous wretched condition, just as there was no glory for God in our unsaved conditions. That she was found in the synagogue indicates that she made an effort to observe her religious duties. But there was no glory in that, and any effort she made to sing the Psalms or take part in the activities would be severely restricted. It was not until she was made straight that she could lift her head and arms toward Heaven and shout her thanksgivings. What she said we don’t know. But it was acceptable to God. Any sinner who finds salvation cannot help but be thankful and will express that gratitude.
What a change salvation brings to shameful and lowly sinners! Such a change should continue and grow throughout our lives. -Jim MacIntosh