"And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself." Luke 13:11
This story, of the woman bound by Satan, is a typology of the condition of the world without Jesus Christ: bound by Satan. In the case of this woman, her malady, brought about by the activity of Satan, was a temporal affliction, but the malady into which the human race is a victim of, has severe eternal consequences if not properly addressed.
For this woman, bound by Satan, she has been in that situation for 18 years. Obviously, she must have made several efforts to be rid of that infirmity to no avail. In fact, the bible makes it clear that she was in a position where she could not lift up herself until she met Jesus. Spiritually speaking, the human race is in a condition perpetrated by the devil, and cannot lift itself up without Jesus.
Every self-effort at fixing this sin condition only results in a failure. But God, who is rich in mercy, sent His only begotten Son into the world as a man to make atonement for the sin of the world, and by it bring humanity back to Himself. However, this is only true for those who will humbly accept that they are unable, in themselves, to do anything about their sin problem, and place their trust in what He did on the cross. Of such Jesus said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God."
Apart from Christ and the cross, humanity will remain lost, but thanks be to God, who has made a provision for the forgiveness of our sins through His Son Jesus Christ. Now, the sinner can be lifted up, though not in his strength, but the Lord's. Only by Jesus are we loosed from the malady of sin.
Toni
