Jesus ended 18 years of disability for one woman "at once." Since he did it on the Sabbath, that upset the synagogue leader. To him, her case was no crisis—she’d suffered for 18 years. But for Jesus, that made healing, now, even more vital (verse 16). Still making his way to Jerusalem (verse 22), he mourned over a spirit that loved rules above people. One commentary called verses 31-35 "Lament of the Rejected Lover."

• Someone asked a theoretical question: ""Lord, will only a few be saved?" (verse 23) Jesus’ answer was completely personal. The Message rendered it as "Whether few or many is none of your business. Put your mind on your life with God. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires your total attention." Are you ever tempted to let abstract religious questions distract you from a focus on your own relationship with God? What spiritual practices most help you keep things personal with God?

• Verses 33-35 were the first of four laments Jesus spoke for Jerusalem in Luke. (The others are in 19:41-44, 21:20-24 and 23:27-31.) What do Jesus’ sorrowful words about the fate of the city that was rejecting him tell you about his heart? How do you react when trouble comes to a person or group that you might consider an enemy?