August 31, 2016

WHAT DO PIXAR, MARVEL, AND DISNEY MOVIES ALL HAVE IN COMMON?

Luke 13:1–17

Celin Baird
Wednesday's Devo

August 31, 2016

Wednesday's Devo

August 31, 2016

Central Truth

We all have a spiritual disability. Without Christ we are powerless to fix it, but there is good news: we matter to God.

Key Verse | Luke 13:11–13

And behold, there was a woman who had had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your disability.” And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and she glorified God. (Luke 13:11-13)

Luke 13:1–17

Repent or Perish

There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’”

A Woman with a Disabling Spirit

10 Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11 And behold, there was a woman who had had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your disability.” 13 And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and she glorified God. 14 But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the people, “There are six days in which work ought to be done. Come on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day.” 15 Then the Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger and lead it away to water it? 16 And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?” 17 As he said these things, all his adversaries were put to shame, and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him.

Dive Deeper | Luke 13:1–17

Being a parent, I have seen a lot of Pixar, Marvel, and Disney movies. Sometimes, even the same movie more than once. Most of these movies include a superhero, a villain, a damsel in distress, a dark moment when all seems lost, and, finally, the "eureka" moment when all is restored.

In verses 11-13 the scene consists of:

Damsel in Distress = the woman (you and me).

Villain = crippling spirit or sin struggle.

Dark Moment = held in bondage by our sin, we are lost and begin to lose hope.

Superhero = Christ

Eureka Moment = Christ sets us free from our infirmities by dying on the cross for our sins. We are restored and reunited with God.

Like the woman, I, too, had a spiritual disability. It was made up of guilt, shame, and low self-worth. For many years, this disability caused me to make one poor decision after another as I sought to find relief, comfort, and significance in things and other people. I was lost during this time until Christ stepped in, bringing me to Him through the love of others. It was during this time that Christ rescued me.

For the first time, I realized that I am a sinner in need of a Savior. I needed a Savior who heals bitterness and pain; a Savior who gives strength to resist temptation and provides peace through hardships; and a Savior who gives joy and provides freedom. This Savior is Jesus, my Superhero.

Discussion Questions

1. Challenge: Next time you watch a movie, try to find the gospel illustrated throughout.

2. What is your spiritual disability?

3. What steps are you taking for transformational healing?

4. Not sure how to get started? Try one of the following Watermark ministries:

re:generation (http://www.regenerationrecovery.org/)
Someone Cares & Forgotten Fathers http://www.watermark.org/dallas/ministries/someone-cares
Divorce Care http://www.watermark.org/dallas/ministries/divorce-care