”When Jesus saw her, he called her forward“ Luke 13:12
Luke 13 has a story of a crippled woman who attended “church” for a long time. Here is the story.
”On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, 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. When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.“ Luke 13:10-13 NIV
Church is a good thing, and attending church is a wonderful habit - unless the church is not worshipping the Lord and teaching the Scriptures.
Many churches have beautiful campuses, wonderful greeters, comfortable seating, Air conditioning in the Summer and heat in the Winter - and wonderful decor. But the church did not help this woman - she needed Jesus.
The woman had been faithful in attendance and she was diligent in her presence there. But the woman needed Jesus, not a building. The woman needed the presence of God, not just the extras.
This is crucial - to seek Jesus and meet Jesus. One of the most famous songs of all time has the following lyrics:
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly lean on Jesus' name
On Christ the solid rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
It is the presence of Jesus in your life that matters.
