There’s an intriguing story in Luke 13 contrasting release and religion.

When Jesus saw her condition, he called her over and gently laid his hands on her. Then he said, “Dear woman, you are free. I release you forever from this crippling spirit.” Instantly she stood straight and tall and overflowed with glorious praise to God! The Jewish leader who was in charge of the synagogue was infuriated over Jesus’ healing on the Sabbath day. “Six days you are to work,” he shouted angrily to the crowd. “Those are the days you should come here for healing, but not on the seventh day!” (Luke 13.12 – 14 (Passion Translation, emphasis mine)

Something is terribly wrong when something that should result, as it says, in glorious praise to God is instead cause for anger: “Infuriated…he shouted angrily…” So what are the people to do? The ordinary people to whom Jesus came? Whose side are they on?

When they heard this [Jesus putting the religious leaders down as frauds], his critics were completely humiliated. But the crowds shouted with joy over the glorious things Jesus was doing among them. (Luke 13.17, Passion Translation)

Again, Jesus is paying attention, not only to his teaching but also to the people around him. We don’t know that she came for healing. She might have just been coming to the synagogue as usual. She didn’t come to him. He saw her. And cared. And “released” her.

The synagogue ruler was operating from a perspective of religion. Keeping the Sabbath was way more important to him than anyone’s needs. Becky Manly Pippert who wrote Out of the Salt Shaker and other books said in an interview:

…if it really is God incarnate and he comes to planet earth, what is the chief criticism about Jesus? He just didn’t seem religious enough. Now that’s a pretty funny thing to say about God. –Becky Manley Pippert, emphasis mine

Religion with its rules doesn’t change from Jesus’ day until ours. I wrote earlier about a pastor putting down Calvary Chapel for reaching hippies, in part by not requiring coats and ties and by singing more upbeat songs. We all have our rules, and shame on us if they take precedence.

The morning I read this, I had taken a mid-week (very unusual) call from my son in Atlanta. A few days before I, resolved to have prayer time first thing in the morning. Do I stand on that new resolve? Or do I make time for people?

And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. (Mark 2.27, ESV)

So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality…Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. (Colossians 2.16, 17, 3.12, NLT)