Luke

Four Fishermen Called as Disciples
Jesus Cleanses a Leper
Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralytic
Matthew the Tax Collector
Jesus Questioned about Fasting

Luke 5:1-3

This chapter opens with 'so it was' which we can consider as 'then one day'.  There's no specified time between his time at Capernaum and this setting.  As the word traveled and as the more were healed and set free by Jesus, the bigger the crowd got.  Many came to be healed and others to hear His words.  How many came to know Him versus coming for personal or selfish reasons?  How many do you suppose were there because they heard a rumor and were curious?  Do you recognize your need for Jesus every day?  I'm afraid we've become so comfortable in the world, the need only arises when we become uncomfortable. 

 

The lake of Gennesaret is the Sea of Galilee.  The two boats along the shore belonged to Peter, John and James.  The boats must have been pulled up on shore while the fishermen, Peter, James and John, washed their nets.  The throng of people pressed into Jesus, a constant shuffle to get closer, to see Him and to hear His words.  Jesus climbed into one boat and requested that Peter launch the boat a short distance from shore.  This stopped the crowd from pressing in and allowed Jesus to sit and teach them.  Many more could hear Him in this setting than from the midst of a multitude.

 

Luke 5:4-8

When He was done teaching, Jesus wanted Peter to fish some more.  They had fished all night long and were obviously tired.  They had washed their nets and done.  They were professional fishermen and probably weren't too interested in the fishing advice from a religious teacher.  However, due to Peter's respect for Him, Peter agreed to it as an act of obedience.  When they let down their nets, they caught a great number of fish.  The night of fishing and catching nothing had been redeemed.  This was a fisherman's dream.  The nets were breaking there were so many fish.  They signaled to James and John to help them.  They proceeded to fill both boats to the point they were sinking.  Peter was clearly overwhelmed, understanding this wasn't normal, but in fact supernatural.  Peter knew He was more than a teacher and more than a prophet.  He fell at His feet in moral agony.  The cry to depart was a confession of sorts, of his own sinful nature and the feeling that he was unworthy to be near the messiah.  Job expressed a similar feeling:

⁵"I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear,

But now my eye sees You.

⁶Therefore I abhor myself,

And repent in dust and ashes." (Job 42:5-6)

 

Instead of Judgment for his sinfulness, Peter had received grace and the gift of a lifetime, a day a sin-fallen fisherman would never forget. 

 

Luke 5:9-11

A similar account of this is recorded in Matthew 4:18-22 and Mark 1:16-20.  The fishermen were astonished; the word is translated from two Hebrew words that would describe being engulfed all around in stunning wonder.  Amidst this astonishment, Jesus said something even greater. 

"Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men."

This had been their last catch as professional fishermen.  They were about to walk away from the only thing they knew, the only life they knew and follow Jesus.  They would become fishers of men.  Instead of a life of filled with physical strain, hard work and getting very few fish for their trouble, they would now live a life filled with spiritual stress, physical strain, hard work and frustration and get very few fish for their trouble.  But the eternal stakes were high.  These fishermen brought the persistence and ethic he needed.  As fishermen, they brought very little else.  They had little or no education, limited skills, probably couldn't read or write. These were perfect disciples for Christ, God would be glorified when they brought in the catch.  Jesus said they 'will' catch men. 

 

Luke 5:12-15

Matthew and Mark also record the events of this passage (Matthew 8:2-4; Mark 1:40-45).  Leprosy is an awful disease.  Little was understood about it at that time.  They treated it as though it were highly contagious keeping the sick far away.  The lepers lived in isolated places, far from everyone else.  They were social outcasts as well as being sick.  The disease damaged the skin, nerves, limbs and eyes.  It is said that it wasn't unusual for bone to be exposed, particularly around the thin skin of the brow and nose.  The disease so damaged nerves there was no sense of feeling, no sense of pain.  Pain is our natural warning system to keep us safe and guard us.  Lepers often hurt themselves, burned themselves or abraded skin to nothing, all completely unaware of it.  Rodents and pests could chew on their flesh at night and it not alarm or awaken them.  This was a lonely, broken, hopeless life; captive in a broken body.  He could not come near the temple and so had not worshiped there since he got sick.  Jewish historian Josephus wrote that lepers were treated "as if they were, in effect, dead men". 

 

It was thought that lepers were this way because of some sin.  This idea comes from knowing their history.  They knew the story Miriam in Numbers 12:6-10.  Aaron and Miriam spoke against Moses and after the Lord spoke to them in the tabernacle His judgment fell on Miriam and she was leprous.  Aaron cried out to Moses to intercede on her behalf saying, "Please do not let her be as one dead".  They also knew of King Uzziah who became leprous as judgment for his pride (2 Chronicles 26:19).  The people of that time looked on these lepers as though they had fallen to some great sin and were under God's judgment. 

 

Dr. Luke described the man 'full of leprosy' as if he had diagnosed it himself.  This could be a whole host of skin diseases.  This man saw Jesus and fell on his face.  He was supposed to keep his distance and shout, "unclean, unclean" to warn others.  He cried out to Jesus.  He understood that Jesus could make him clean if it was His will.  He asked to be clean.  This is a reference to being ceremonially clean.  He was asking to be restored to the point he could enter the temple and worship. 

 

Jesus put out his hand and touched this man.  This would have horrified anyone who watched.  This just wasn't done.  The touch of Jesus would not likely be felt by a leper due to his damaged nerves.  But it was a divine touch of healing, of love.  I have to believe the physical touch of Jesus penetrated even damaged nerves.  It had likely been a long time since anyone touched him.  At the command of Jesus, he was clean.  One moment a hopeless leper, now set free, delivered and healed and cleansed.  I'm not sure we can imagine the overwhelming sense of gratitude and joy and thankfulness that shot though this man's soul. 

 

Jesus sent him to the priest to be inspected and declared clean that he might once again go to the temple for worship.  Dealing with Leprosy was prescribed by the law (Lev 14:1-32).  There were a wide range of skin diseases that made one unclean, after which they would have to go through a ceremonial cleansing.  However, no one was ever healed of leprosy.  We can barely imagine the joy this man felt as he was once again part of society.  He was restored to his family and friends.  Imagine their shock and joy when he appeared before them whole. 

 

As Isaiah said, the Spirit of the Lord was upon Jesus (4:18-19).  He was anointed to preach to this leper.  The man was poor, brokenhearted, captive and oppressed.  He experienced the good news; he was healed, set free from the bondage of the disease and lifted from the oppression.  Leprosy becomes this outward picture of sin fallen, inward condition.  We are being damaged within, a little at a time, completely unaware.  Our warning system if down, conscience is singed and we go on living broken, hopeless, lonely self-destructive lives. 

²¹ Then another of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father."

²² But Jesus said to him, "Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead."

(Matthew 8:21-22)

 

The response of Jesus that Matthew records sounds heartless or cold, but its not nearly so.  The disciple wasn't asking for a few days to bury his father, he was informing Jesus he would return to his family home where he would live out his life until his father died and he got his inheritance, then he would follow Jesus.  This disciple didn't have his eyes on the Kingdom of God but on the world.  'The dead' are those walking in their sin, spiritually dead, yet in full pursuit or things that won't offer life.

 

Each of us are more like the leper than we care to admit.  Even when we meet Jesus, our tendency is to hold onto this world with one hand while attempting to hold Jesus with the other.  We have to fully understand how dead we are to appreciate the life that is offered in Christ.  To continue to walk as dead and claim to be alive is an afront to the Lord.  We must come fully to the knowledge of being walking dead, spiritually dead people without hope.  It is then we understand the precious grace and good news of Jesus who offers life. 

And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, ² in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, (Ephesians 2:1-2)

 

Luke 5:16

Jesus was famous by name.  Jesus of Nazareth was now known, first and foremost, for the miraculous healings that He did.  He was also known, secondarily, for His teaching.  People wanted more and would thrust Him into a limelight.  They would pit Him against Rome and Herod.  They would make Him like a worldly king.  Jesus rejected all this.  He spoke to people in groups and ministered to them one at a time.  He preached the Kingdom of God.  Jesus often felt the need to spend time in that kingdom and have fellowship with the Father.  Times of serenity were important to the Lord; maybe they should be to us also.  Time away from everyone and everything, just to spend time with the Lord, to hear and be heard.  Some of these men had come a long distance to investigate Jesus. 

 

Luke 5:17-19

The gospel of Mark tells us this incident happened when they returned to Capernaum.  There is some speculation that it happened in Peter's home, but Peter was from Bethsaida, a little less than 3 miles east of Capernaum.  That day he was teaching in a home; Mark adds the details that it was packed with people. 

 

Luke makes it clear in his account that on this particular day the Pharisees and Scribes showed up.  The Pharisees were the most influential religious and political party of the time and were strict about adherence to the law.  With them were the scribes who were experts in the law.  They often show up with the Pharisees or the priests.  It was the job of these religious men to investigate teachers and miracle workers.  These men came from Judea, Galilee and Jerusalem, which is to say they represented all the people over all the land.  Or, at least they thought so. 

 

By all appearance, Jesus had been a good Jew in adhering to the law.  He had been teaching in the synagogue in such a way as to get the attention of many.  Talk of miracles, signs and deliverance from demons traveled fast, but could these wild stories be believed?  They sought Jesus to investigate.  This marks the beginning of trouble with the religious authorities.

1. He taught with authority, of which they had not given nor would Jesus yield to them.  People were astonished when He taught the scriptures because the words of scripture were His words.  He was the The Word!
2. He had declared the fulfillment of a portion of Isaiah 61, a messianic prophecy.
3. He had cast out a demon.  This was only done by their own exorcist, not by teachers in a synagogue.

These men were used to controlling the religious activity of the land.  They would associate with the good, put their stamp of approval on it or they would spurn what didn't fit their agenda.  They would make a correction or make other arrangements to eliminate any competition for their power and control.  They kept religious activity in check to make sure Herod looked good, he in turn allowed them some authority.  This was a relationship that was always in tension, as that of Herod and Rome.  Herod didn't not want Rome's involvement as the priest did not want Herod's.  Jesus of Nazareth was causing a lot of commotion that would get both Herod and Rome's attention.  He had the approval of the Father and required no other.  People were embracing Him apart from the opinion of the religious leaders.  The relationship between Jesus and religious leaders was off to a bad start. 

 

And the power of the Lord was present to heal them.

This is a fascinating verse, for what it says but also where it is located.  It is often quickly read over assumed to mean the power to heal was with Him.  However, the power to heal was always with Him.  This power didn't come and go.  I agree with the Grace NT commentary, this marks the availability and disposition of healing toward those Pharisees and Scribes.  We know, though, that they will reject Jesus.  They were what Ezekiel (33) called wicked shepherds.  They were more concerned with themselves, their place, appearance and standing among men than the care and spiritual health of those they were charged with caring for.  Most, it seems, saw themselves as having risen to a higher spiritual ground with no patience or time for the little people. 

 

These men needed humility and repentance.  Humility isn't thinking less of yourself but thinking of your self less.  They needed to put their eyes on the Lord and minister to the people.  They needed to bring God's people together before the Lord.  In a short time, Jesus would curse a vine for bearing no fruit as He looked upon Jerusalem and the temple.  The temple bore no fruit.  Temple worship had been replaced with other things; the things of man that looked similar but were far from glorifying God. 

 

Luke 5:20

As Jesus taught, these leaders looked on, looking for flaw, mistake or imperfection of any kind.  Out of love, some men brought a paralytic to Jesus.  The heart of love and grace is visible in the action of these men; it stands in stark contrast to the cold hearts of the religious authorities.  Doesn't seem odd that this crowd Jesus was teaching would not part and let this man be brought to Jesus?  Did their curiosity and desire to not miss anything for themselves squelch their own compassion for their fellow man.  Did they find a paralytic unworthy?  However, the crowd that was pressed in and unmoving didn't discourage their determination and commitment.  Many homes in that day had flat roofs that served as a second floor that was accessible by ladder or stairs.  These men took the paralytic to the roof.  Imagine Jesus teaching when dust and debris began to fall around as these men dug a hole through the roof, removed the structure and let their friend down before Jesus.  The roof was made of a serious of wooden beams with smaller branches, sticks, twigs spanning the beams.  On top of this was dirt up to a foot thick.  This was an incredible amount of material and dangerous to disassemble.  But, their faith said, 'I will do whatever it takes to get to Jesus!'.  We could learn from that.  As they let their friend down in Jesus presence, they were filthy with dirt, turning to mud with the sweat of hard work and then topped off with the smile of joy when Jesus tended to their friend.  Jesus saw their faith and forgave their sins.  Notice it was 'their' faith and 'their' sins.  These men all came to Jesus in faith.  The one who was brought as well as those who carried him.  They all believed in Jesus to heal their friend.  It is by faith we are saved, through grace (Eph 2:8-9). 

 

Luke 5:21

The scripture says 'they began to reason'.  This reasoning is not an attempt to understand but to form their argument against Jesus.   Matthew said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts?" The word translated to evil means slanderous thoughts, harmful or malicious.  When Jesus declared the forgiveness of sins it was like lighting a fuse.  The Pharisees and Scribes were not impressed, not thoughtful, not considering His words and work.  They saw only the law.  In their eyes, whoever this man was, He was wrong and blasphemous to declare sin forgiven.  Only God can forgive sin.  Their very argument became testimony that Jesus was God the Son.

 

The 'reasoning' in the hearts of these men revealed their high view of themselves and a low view of God.  They had no room in their belief system to receive what He was saying.  To understand that He was God would upset their world, knock them from their high pedestal and cost them dearly.  At this point we might all nod in agreement at the nasty Pharisees.  However, there's more Pharisee in you and I than we care to admit.  The ability to reason and justify our self is a skill of sin-fallen humanity and started at the fall.  Eve blamed the snake, Adam blamed Eve; neither saw or understood what they broke.  They did not have their eyes on God.  God created us with the ability to reason, it's the taint of sin that makes us use this reasoning to justify our sinful actions while condemning those around us. 

 

Luke 5:22-26

When we read 'Jesus perceived their thoughts' it gives us the impression this was a supernatural act.  He apparently had not directly heard their words but that doesn't necessarily mean this was a supernatural reading of their minds.  Everyone there knew what was going through the minds of the Pharisees and Scribes.  They were like a book everyone had read; calculating, cold, hardened and predictable.  Jesus called them out on their judgment by asking them a simple question.  Which is easier?

1. To say, "Your sins are forgiven."
   1. This was very easy to say.  In fact, anyone could say it, but who could prove it?  Who could prove the sins weren't forgiven?  They could argue and dispute all day about this. 
2. Or, to say, "Rise up and walk."
   1. Well, if one could pull this off, there would be no dispute.  After all, seeing a man that could not walk, a man known as a paralytic among the people there, suddenly get up and walk, well, that would be impressive.
   2. This option would definitely be harder.  Can't be faked!

 

Jesus didn't choose between the two choices, He did them both.  The healing was done so they, and everyone there, would know that Jesus has the power to forgive sins.  Jesus looked away from the Pharisees and Scribes to the paralytic who was silently watching and listening to this exchange.  Remember there is a press of the crowd, all of which likely had taken a step back at this confrontation.  By the power of the Lord, Jesus said to him 'arise'.  This was what the man wanted, what he longed to hear, but could it really be true?  Jesus didn't touch him or anything.  He just said, 'get up'.  It took faith for this man to attempt to stand.  It was likely years since he had done so. 

 

As he rose, there was:

• Strength where it had not been.
• Balance that had been long absent.
• Coordination where there had only been weakness.
• Hope where there had been a dark void.
• Joy rose up and replaced an overwhelming burden of sadness.
• The light of eternity rising from the darkness.
• A future
• An inheritance
• Fellowship with his Creator.
• Life, full and abundant rose before him. 

He arose

The former paralytic rose up.  I think it's safe to assume he smiled for a while, thanked Jesus for a while and maybe danced a little jig.  I believe Jesus was smiling at the joy He brought to this man's life.  This is our Shepherd, King, Savior, Lord and God.  Everyone was amazed and reverent and humbled and intimidated, all with a thousand thoughts and wondering if what they really saw happen, really happened. 

 

He picked up is bed

The formerly lame man picked up his bed.  This was like a sleeping bag or bed roll he had essentially lived on.  Picking it up was an act of freedom.  The mat had carried him for some time, it was his great joy to carry it.  I wonder if he didn't carry it to the trash heap to be done with that, never wanting to see it again.  That life was gone. 

 

He went to his house

He didn't ask anyone to carry him there.  He didn't have to impose on anyone.  He didn't have to suffer through the looks he got from folks who assumed the cause of his ailment was his awful sin.   Others would have distanced themselves so as not to catch it from him.  This day, as he walked home, he appeared normal, at least in the way he appeared.  However, he probably stood out from the crowd by the smile on his face, the countenance of joy and the appreciation of every breath that came with every step.  He was Glorifying God!  What a beautiful day, an amazing world and crazy adventurous life.  I'm guessing it was a long time before that man laid down again.  He probably took the long way home, seeing the sights he had not seen and enjoying the view from 5 foot up.  This man would likely have said, 'It's like being born again!'  And it was all from Jesus of Nazareth.

 

The crowd that had pressed in were left amazed.  This word means astonished, in a trance.  They were momentarily stunned a what they had witnessed with their eyes.  Then, they also began to glorify God.  With the realization that Jesus had initiated this healing, they became filled with fear and reverence.   

• Matthew said they glorified God who had given such power to men.  They were impressed that Jesus, a mere man, had been given power to heal from God.
• Mark records the crowd glorifying God and saying they had never seen anything like that.
• Luke finished this section by noting the people said they had seen some strange things today!  The word 'strange' is 'paradoxa' and means something unexplainable, unexpected.  Indeed.

Those that were paying attention would have realized:

• The man was healed.
• Therefore, Jesus also has the power to forgive sins.
• Therefore, that man's sins were also forgiven.
• Therefore, since He can forgive sins, He is God.
• Consequently, the Pharisees were right, only God can forgive sin. 

It is telling that Luke does not mention the reaction of the Pharisees.  All they saw was that they had a dilemma on their hands.  They were neither happy for the paralytic or awed at Jesus.  However, in the dark of the nigh when they were alone, each of those men had to deal with what they saw. 

 

Luke 5:27-28

Matthew was a Jew, but you wouldn't know it by the way people looked at him.  He was a tax collector.  This meant he was viewed as a traitor and extortioner; he was despised by the people.  After all, the tax collector worked for the Roman government and exercised all the authority of Rome to make Jews pay their taxes.  The job as tax collector was awarded to the man who submitted the highest bid stating how much tax he could collect from a town.  The man then collected taxes; he owed the Roman government what was bid, then pocketed everything else collected beyond that amount.  This was their pay.  The more they extorted, the more they made.  A tax collector was automatically an outcast from society, whether or not he had been prior to that.  Several other things automatically happened when one became a tax collector:

• You were disqualified as a judge; no one would entrust you with justice.
• You were disqualified to appear in court as a witness.  No one trusted your testimony.
• You were excommunicated from the synagogue.  They couldn't imagine God would care about you.
• The disgrace bestowed on you was automatically extended to your family.

Now this just gives you little bit of an idea of how shocking this call to Matthew was.  I can imagine Matthew looking around trying to figure out who Jesus was talking to and finally asking, "Me?"  Again, there had to be an audible gasp from the crowd.  What kind of Rabbi was this?  Who would befriend a tax collector?  And not only that, who would ask a tax collector to follow Him?

 

Even more astounding, the tax collector didn't hesitate.  He arose and followed Jesus.  The most despised man was also very well off, until then.  He stood and walked away from it all.  He was a smart man who had discovered there was more to life than money.  There was something missing from life, something profound, lasting and yet inexplicable.  He found the answer in Jesus.  Matthew was a man who wanted more, sought out more.  A man who was lonely, broken and unloved who wanted to know real life. 

 

Luke 5:29-32

I absolutely love the scene between the calling of Matthew and dinner as portrayed by the move Chosen.  Jesus called Matthew and he locked up his tax office and followed him.  He was nervous, excited and not sure what was next.  Jesus said they had a dinner party to attend to.  Matthew informed Jesus he wasn't welcomed at dinner parties.  Jesus, with a bit of a smirk said Matthew was invited to this one because it was at his house and he was the host.

 

The only friends Matthew would have had were other tax collectors.  He apparently invited them all.  The gospel of Mark said there were other 'sinners' there.  These were those considered to have broken the law by the Pharisees and scribes.  They were watching Jesus and the company He kept.  The Pharisees complained against the disciples for eating and drinking with sinners.  Why didn't they speak directly to Jesus about this?  They were probably scared to but they also knew by now Jesus wasn't intimidated by them.  If they could intimidate the disciples and drive them off, they could end this threat.

 

Jesus answered them anyway.  The Pharisees saw themselves as 'well'.  They were not sick with sin and saw themselves as downright righteous.  Therefore, they had no need of a physician.  The sick, a reference to tax collectors and sinners, they were in desperate need of a physician.  Jesus came to call sinners to repentance.  Those that thought they had no sin, thought they had nothing to repent of and therefore saw no need for Jesus.  

 

Luke 5:33-35

The question about fasting seems to come from the Pharisees and scribes as part of their original complaint about those invited to this meal.  Matthew and Mark record this question as coming from John's disciples.  The original source of the question was likely the Pharisees and John's disciples repeated it to Jesus because they had no answer. 

 

In those times, fasting was a religious activity and was part of the life of the devoted.  The zealous fasted twice a week, usually on Monday and Thursday.  On the day of atonement, they were to afflict themselves.  This was to voluntarily fast.  Devotion to God is more important than food for the flesh or drink for the flesh.  A fast was a physically dark time portraying the mourning over sin.  To break the fast and feast was then victory over sin.  Our sin delivers us to affliction and judgment, but God, through our repentance and faith, delivers us to victory. 

 

The friends of the bridegroom were to feast and celebrate while they were with the bridegroom.  Marriage was a one-time event in the bridegroom's life, it would be inappropriate for a friend to be fasting.  There would be time for that later.  In this case, Jesus said the 'bridegroom will be taken away'.  In the analogy of the marriage process, this was a strange way of stating this.  The bridegroom normally went away to prepare a place for his bride.  We know this is a veiled reference to the crucifixion.  This is the first hint that Jesus would be taken away from them. 

 

Luke 5:36-39

Imagine cutting a piece of cloth from a new garment.  This would ruin it while doing little to improve the old garment.  You can't save an old garment with a new patch.  It won't match.  It's still old and the new garment is ruined.  Set the old garment aside and just wear the new one. 

 

Likewise, if you put new wine in an old wineskin, it will rupture it and the wine will be lost.  The old wine skin is brittle and dried.  New wine will ferment and swell.  It can only be kept in a vessel that is flexible, pliable and can contain the expanding wine. 

 

The old is better!  I remember as a teen my favorite bellbottom, hip-hugger jeans.   I'd wear those every chance I could, leaving new jeans untouched.  I wore them till they were threadbare and beg mom to patch them up.  Finally, she refused and decommissioned them.  I soon had a new favorite pair.  This is the idea of the last line.  It's our nature.  We become comfortable and complacent with the old wine, old garment and there was no reason to taste or put on the new. 

 

The Pharisees were not looking at the people Jesus was reaching.  He had healed a leper and a paralytic.  He had also healed countless others.  He had cast out demons, delivering people from bondage.  He had befriended the forgotten, oppressed, hated and despised.  These are all consistent with the work of the servant of Isaiah 61.  The Pharisees could not see this new thing in front of them.  A new covenant was forming and they were blinded by their self-righteousness.

 

©2019 Doug Ford