Luke 13:10-17 KJV
10 And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.
11 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.
12 And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.
13 And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
14 And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.
15 The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?
16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?
17 And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.

No one likes correction even when it beneficial to a person. Jesus often rebukes his attackers but seldom is it said that they felt shame or remorse. The ruler of the synagogue felt remorse.

We know Jesus is always right and we can strive to be right. Yet if the power of healing is flowing through Christ Jesus and he heals a woman that has been bent over from her illness in away that she could no longer straighten up, who can argue with God's mercy through healing but the ruler did and yet she points out the work the ruler did by the law of watering an ox, pointing out this woman need not to be greater but just as valuable to receive relief.

Is the care we give our animals the same care we give human world in need. People love there pets and those that still have "livestock" usually have compassion for people, but why did Jesus rebuke hurt the ruler, this woman had she not been prayed for, could he straighten this women up. None of those things fit it was the lack of joy and glorifying God in the synagogues leadership. When one declares a healing do they praise God. The synagogue ruler lost his power not yet, but the people were already praising God and not the ruler. Was it jealousy of what God was doing through Jesus perhaps.

In a church you may have leadership who welcomes knew leaders and even encourage and assist them but in some cases jealousy of being replaced or seeing the crowd respond to the new leadership that they attract can cause jealousy, even skeptism of why was this leader blessed. Jesus moving in this crowd of people should of cause old leaders to glorify God.

Through out the four Gospels it is not the norm for the religious leaders to embrace Jesus yet there some that believed he was the Messiah. They struggled with his teaching, his healing power and any works that cause others to glorify God. Jesus was seen as a threat to there way of life. Yet Jesu taught in the synagogues not just outdoors in the streets or open fields or sitting on a lake in a boat. Jesus went and worshipped by tradition in the synagogue and doing far more then what the old leaders did for the people and that caused the people to glorify God. Jesus should of been a blessing to most religious leaders of his day and to the synagogue ruler but Jesus was not because of the work he did. Yet Jesus' rebuke was enough to bring him to the place of feeling shame at his own words.

When your adversary repent and feel shame rejoice in the Lord for God's Spirit is ministering to them. There times of persecution by leaders but when God blessing despite it rejoice because of God's working in the lives of others through his Spirit and working in your life as well.

Dear Heavenly Father we thank you and praise you for ministering through Jesus' rebuke. Remind us that you desire to work in the lives of your leadership. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Continual Scripture Study: 1 Peter 3:13-17 KJV
13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.