Podcast Summary: Healing School #6 | The Bowed Over Woman, Part Two

Podcast: Dufresne Ministries Podcast
Host/Speaker: Nancy Dufresne
Date: April 17, 2021
Episode Theme: Deepening the Understanding of Healing through the Story of the Bowed Over Woman (Luke 13:10-17)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Pastor Nancy Dufresne continues her “Healing School” series by closely examining the biblical account of the woman bowed over for 18 years, as recorded in Luke 13:10-17. Through a detailed verse-by-verse study, Nancy highlights the essential principles of faith, the ministry of Jesus around healing, and the believer’s authority over sickness. The message is both a theological teaching and a call to action for Christians to embrace their covenant rights to healing and wholeness.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Jesus’ Threefold Ministry: Teaching, Preaching, and Healing

• Context: Jesus’ earthly ministry was comprised of teaching, preaching, and healing, and the church should mirror this.
• Quote (01:27):
  “If we're going to do the works of Jesus, we have to teach, preach, and heal. If we're going to leave out healing, then we're leaving out a major portion of the works of Jesus.” — Nancy Dufresne

2. The “Spirit of Infirmity” and Its Effects

• Text Reference: Luke 13:11 describes the woman with “a spirit of infirmity for 18 years.”
• Nancy clarifies that this affliction was not from God but “an evil spirit” (spirit of infirmity).
• Effects include chronic unsoundness, repeated illnesses, and long-term suffering.
• Quote (04:45):
  “A spirit of infirmity will cause someone to have sickness after sickness ... It's as though there's never any soundness in their body.”

3. Authority and Refusing to Settle for Suffering

• Believers are encouraged not to “get used to” chronic problems just because they are longstanding.
• Quote (06:10):
  “Don't get used to something just because it's been there a long time. ... Jesus paid so much so that we don't have to put up with.”
• The devil delights in seeing people accept suffering, but the Word instructs Christians to “resist the devil, and he will flee” (James 4:7).

4. The Necessity of Right Atmosphere and Teaching

• The synagogue was a place of worship, yet the woman received no help for 18 years—this raises questions about the church’s responsibility.
• Quote (08:05):
  “It's not right for people to come to our churches and not receive help. If they're not receiving help, we need to find out why.”
• Being in the right environment—where the Word and the healer (Jesus) are magnified—matters for receiving from God.

5. Jesus’ Compassionate and Empowering Response

• Jesus calls the woman to Himself, demonstrating both compassion and requiring her to respond in faith—even with great difficulty (09:00–10:20).
• “He didn't just walk up to her and do everything for her. He wanted to know how bad you want it... Everyone that's suffering, Jesus calls you to him.” (10:05)

6. Speaking the Covenant, Not the Circumstance

• Jesus declares, “Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity,” speaking her covenant rights over her visible condition (10:55).
• This illustrates the principle: faith speaks what is promised, not just what is seen.
• Quote (11:45):
  “He spoke what was hers. He did not speak what he saw. This is what you do when you have a covenant—you speak what is yours.”

7. The Power of the Spoken Word and the Anointing

• Jesus does not address the evil spirit directly but speaks the Word, showing the primacy of the covenant and God-consciousness over devil-consciousness (14:10).
• Believers can do the same—declare the Word over their circumstances.
• Quote (15:10):
  “You can say the Word to you. It's the Word that addresses the enemy. ... Just speaking the Word will drive out evil influences.”

8. Healing and the Laying on of Hands

• Jesus lays His hands on the woman, and she is immediately made straight—restoring her human dignity (17:50).
• The congregation witnesses God’s power, but not all respond in praise.

9. Religious Obstinance and Misplaced Priorities

• The synagogue leader is indignant, prioritizing rules over compassion, and rebukes both Jesus and the woman (19:30–21:20).
• Quote (20:50):
  “He was okay with her being bound that day, just not being healed that day. Wow. ... You lose compassion for people, and you're okay with their suffering.”

10. Jesus’ Rebuke and the Call to Correct Thinking

• Jesus calls the synagogue ruler a “hypocrite,” exposing the inconsistency of valuing animals over humans (22:20).
• He asserts that it is an “obligation” (not just an option) to see the suffering set free (23:18).
• Quote (23:30):
  “He made it a matter of obligation. It's an obligation that she be loosed.”

11. Holy Obligation to Minister Healing

• Jesus’ actions show that knowing about healing brings a “holy obligation” to minister freedom to others.
• Quote (24:00):
  “When we see that Jesus has paid so much for people to be loosed, then we have a holy obligation to help bring them into the light of it.”

12. Correction, Celebration, and Right Thinking

• Though the synagogue leader and others were shamed, the people rejoiced at the “glorious things” done by Jesus (25:15).
• The episode closes by affirming that healing is the “flow of the Word” and rightfully belongs to every believer.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• On living with chronic affliction:
  “With this spirit of infirmity, it's as though there's no relief... until somebody says, no more.” (05:15)
• On speaking God’s promises:
  “He said, woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. ... He did not speak what he saw. This is what you do when you have a covenant.” (11:45)
• On acting on your own faith:
  “You can say the Word to you. ... Just speaking the Word will drive out evil influences.” (15:10)
• On religious indifference:
  “He was okay with her being bound that day, just not being healed that day. ... You lose compassion for people, and you're okay with their suffering.” (20:50)
• Jesus on true obligation:
  “Ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham... be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?” (direct Bible quote discussed at 23:30)
• Affirmation for listeners:
  “He whom the Son sets free is free. So I speak to pain, leave your body. I speak to torment, Leave your mind in Jesus name. And you rise up and say, I'm free in his name.” (26:45)

Timestamps for Key Sections

• [00:09] – Introduction and Purpose of the Series
• [02:00] – Reading and Context of Luke 13:10–17
• [04:45] – Explanation of “Spirit of Infirmity”
• [06:45] – Don’t Accept Prolonged Problems
• [08:20] – The Right Atmosphere for Healing
• [10:05] – Jesus Calls the Woman and the Principle of Faith
• [11:40] – Speaking the Covenant Over Circumstance
• [14:10] – The Power of the Spoken Word vs. Devil-Consciousness
• [17:50] – Jesus Lays Hands, Healing Manifested
• [19:30] – The Synagogue Ruler’s Indignation
• [22:20] – Jesus’ Rebuke and Teaching on True Priorities
• [23:30] – Making Healing an Obligation
• [25:15] – The Congregation Rejoices
• [26:45] – Prayer of Healing for Listeners

Closing Encouragement

Nancy emphasizes that the same covenant of healing that belonged to the “daughter of Abraham” belongs to every New Testament believer—“and better.” Her final exhortation urges listeners to recognize, claim, and declare their freedom and healing, ending with a corporate prayer of faith for all those seeking healing.

This episode is a deep, scriptural call for believers to recognize and act on their authority in Christ, challenging complacency and advocating for a compassionate, faith-filled healing ministry in the church today.