I really believe that today's questions are really beneficial and challenging to anyone who's willing to answer them honestly. Take a read, think on it and be transparent in your responses.
Read Luke 5 (find it here)
One of the things I admire most about Jesus is the fact that he could brag all he wanted about being the Son of God and his ability to do supernatural feats, but Jesus wasn't about the recognition. Haven't you noticed so far that Jesus doesn't allow demons to say very much at all about who he is? Another way to tell the level of Jesus' humility is to see his willingness to meet people where they are in their lives.
He goes out on a boat with Simon (remember Jesus is a carpenter). Yet he gives advice to Simon on where and how to catch fish. Simon kind of reminds Jesus that he's the fisherman but out of respect (Jesus is a recognized teacher, or rabbi) Simon does what was suggested.
The number of fish were so tremendous that not only did the nets begin to break but other men from the surrounding boats had to help lug the net in.
Suddenly, Simon realized that he wasn't talking to a carpenter/teacher but the Savior. He says, "please leave me, I'm too much of a sinner to be around you." (verse 8) Isn't it funny how different a sign that wasn't asked for is received? Earlier, Satan would've probably compared powers in an attempt to belittle Jesus. A sign from God is not about proving or matching wits like dueling wizards, but more about producing awe from those who God knows will accept Him.
Jesus tells Simon, James and John that they will now "fish for people." It will be about reaching people, even though you have already tried and may have given up hope. It is when we trust that the ministry is God's and not ours that we'll see many flock to Jesus. (Jesus is by far more endearing than I am on my best days, not to mention my worst.)
I love verse 13 and how Jesus responds to a man with leprosy. "I am willing," he says. Other translations say, "I want to." Jesus wants to help and serve, we just have to ask and expect something when we do.
(Did you notice that Jesus told the man not to tell anyone what happened?)
Yet the man spread Jesus' fame even more. And more people were brought to him to be healed. But Jesus, again, is said to have recharged by going to the "wilderness for prayer."
The greatest thing about the last story is easy to miss. Jesus is preaching in a house. Some men wanted to get their friend in front of Jesus to possibly be healed. They can't get in, so they tear through the roof. They lower him down and then Luke says, "seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, 'young man, your sins are forgiven.'" It was because of the men who get him there that made it possible for him not only to be healed, but to find peace for his soul.
So, yeah, what's easier? To say sins are forgiven or stand up and walk? Think about it. Is it easier to cure someone who permanently disabled or to speak forgiveness into someone's life. Depending on how you think is how you'd answer. Luke would probably say it be easier to say "you're forgiven," since he's a doctor but, of course, the religious leaders didn't feel that way. Either way, Jesus proves he is all-powerful over the spiritual and physical world. And yet again, it's the religious ones who scoff at the sign and the ones who are open that receive it with "great wonder and awe." (verse 26)
Jesus calls and starts to hang out with Levi (Matthew) and his friends. Think about this in two ways: 1.) If you're a Matthew, then bring your spiritually strong friends around your friends that need Christ and 2.) Don't ever think you're "too good" to be around people who don't act like Christ-followers. How else will they ever know the love of God. Be bold, be willing to be accused of hanging out with "scum." Again, the religious don't need Jesus, it's the ones that will accept him who do.
Before ending Luke 5, Jesus gives the first hint of his impending death. He says, "someday the groom will be taken away from them (the disciples)." All this because Jesus' disciples didn't follow the religious tradition of fasting to the T.
Questions
1.) What things do you do all the time that makes you think you're not cut out for the Christian faith? What makes you think like Simon, who said, "leave me Lord, I'm too much of a sinner"? Is it possible to make God love you less?
2.) (Answer honestly) If you saw a miraculous sign (say someone getting healed) would you be the type to question it or be filled with "wonder and awe"?
3.) Jesus hangs out with Matthew's friends. Which role do you fit better? Do you have many friends like Matthew's or do you mix in with people that are spiritually different from you? If most of your friends are like Matthew's, what is your responsibility? If you don't have many (or any) friends like that, what does that say about you?
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