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Luke 5

Ryan Provines
03/12/23 - Podcast

And now, a minute with the Word…

Luke 5 recounts the early days of Jesus’ ministry and illustrates the beginning of the conflict between the Pharisees and Jesus that would culminate in the execution of Jesus. In verses 1 through 11 Jesus was rapidly becoming famous for His teachings. Hence, it was not uncommon for a crowd to follow Him.  After He finished preaching, Jesus turned to Simon Peter and instructed him to lower the nets into the water. Simon Peter protested at first, as he was tired from fishing all night with no results. Simon finally did lower his nets again. Almost immediately the nets were filled with fish, rendering them so heavy that Simon had to call for help in bringing them in. Simon Peter, James and John saw the supernatural in this circumstance. They left their nets and followed Jesus. Verses 12 through 16 relate the incident in which Jesus healed a man who suffered from leprosy. Jesus was touched when He heard a profession of faith. The leper reached out to him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus fulfilled the man’s request, and word of His actions spread very quickly despite asking the man to say nothing of the incident. Jesus speaks to a crowd from within a house which is overflowing with people. Friends of a man who had been paralyzed from birth were desperately trying to bring their friend to Jesus for healing, but could not push through the crowds. They decided to improvise, cutting a hole in the roof of the house and lowering their friend for Jesus’ healing touch.

When Jesus saw the man, He received an accusation of blasphemy from the Pharisees when He told the paralytic that his sins were forgiven. He further healed the paralytic as a demonstration of His power and authority in healing and the forgiveness of sins. As this chapter comes to a close, Jesus is still enduring criticism from the Pharisees for His non-compliance with their laws.