Covenant children of God
by David Cross
This is one of my favorite Bible stories of Jesus bringing deliverance and healing to someone in need. We’re told that this woman has been suffering from a severe disorder in her back for eighteen years. It’s clear that the problem has a spiritual root, but this bondage is wonderfully dealt with by Jesus, who then restores her physical body as He lays hands on her.
The leaders of the synagogue are in uproar as they sense their authority being challenged. They attack the right of Jesus to minister healing on the Sabbath day, something which they regard as undermining their long-held control. But Jesus responds with a remarkable comment. He uniquely calls the woman, probably someone little regarded in the community, a daughter of Abraham, and He continues to say that this Sabbath day is a very good day for her to receive freedom.
In this story, Jesus is declaring something important for us today. He’s stating that deliverance and healing are the rightful benefits of all those who are walking as covenant children of God. Through complete surrender to the authority of Jesus in our lives we become partakers of an amazing covenant, declared originally by God to Abraham, and now newly established and guaranteed for each one of us through Jesus.
When Jesus called this woman forward in the synagogue she stood against the ruler of this world (and those voicing Satan’s authority) and responded, in full submission, to the command of Jesus. By this simple act, she made it very clear to whom she truly belonged and she then received, in this precious moment, the freedom and wholeness that God has promised to all His Covenant children.
Prayer: Thank You, Lord Jesus, for making it possible for me to be one of God’s Covenant children. Show me this day anything I might need to do to make it clear in the heavenly realms that every part of my life is fully surrendered to You. Amen.
David Cross David is part of the Executive Leadership of Ellel Ministries, with particular responsibility for the Ellel centres in Western Europe. He is married to Denise and they have three grown up children and eight grandchildren. David has been a civil engineer and ski-touring instructor in the Highlands of Scotland. He is passionate about the teaching and practice of the healing and deliverance ministry of Jesus and has written several books: Soul Ties, Trapped by Control, God’s Covering, The Dangers of Alternative Ways to Healing(co-authored with John Berry), an A to Z Guide to the Healing Ministry, What`s Wrong with Human Rights? and, most recently, God`s Way out of Depression. You can follow a daily thought from David on Twitter: @dmcross62
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