Luke 5

Following Jesus’ reception for his sermon, we begin for the next two chapters to see the call of the disciples.  The author practically quotes Mark 1-2 in chapter 5.  He does expand on the stories as well as share healing stories as well.

5:1-11 is the call story of Peter.  What is striking is how quickly Peter (Simon) recognizes Jesus.  Peter was likely the owner of several fishing boats as John and James were partners with him. So their willingness to pick up and leave their jobs and income makes the call story more powerful.  Remember that these men had done nothing outstanding to make Jesus call them to follow him.  They were not particularly astute, educated, and belonged to a lower status.  We continue to see the reversal of what the world would value and what Jesus values.  They would leave what little they have and to go into the future without knowing where it may lead.  Also in this section is the first miracle that did not involve healing or exorcism.  Jesus did not command the sea to produce the fish but like stories of manna in the wilderness, Elijah using oil and grain, he took the normal activities of the fishermen to produce abundance in extreme.  So it is with God using ordinary people, situations and settings to accomplish his purpose.

5:12-16 Healing of the Leper.  I would refer people to read Leviticus 13-14 to understand with greater depth about what is happening.  The first is that what we are talking about can be any kind of skin disease not just Hansen’s disease.  Because of the illness one was exiled outside the city.  One could not be with their family, could not worship in the synagogue or temple, and could not approach others.  Often they had to wear a bell or something to warn people that they were coming.  They depending on begging to be able to survive.  If they touched another person, than that person becomes unclean as well.  So when Jesus touches him, this was scandalous for not only healing and declaring him healed for only a priest could do that but it also made Jesus unclean so that he could not enter cities and had to remain in the wilderness for the set period of time.  So Jesus in his action so identifies with the leper, he is willing to suffer the same estrangement that the leper had suffered.  Another point in the healing stories is the estrangement that the sick or possessed suffered.  Healing was more than curing but also, and more importantly, involved restoration to family, community, and to worship.

5:17-26 Healing of the Paralyzed.  Following the healing story of the leper, we have yet another healing story.  Jesus was in a house with the Pharisees and the scribes teaching.  While there many came for healing.  This story has some significant themes regarding the ministry of Christ.  First the paralyzed man was unable to come to Jesus.  So four of his neighbors carried him so that he could be healed.  Jesus is amazed at their faith and the willingness to carry their friend.  Today we marvel at those who are willing to go the extra mile for others with no expectation of receiving anything in return.  No wonder Jesus was moved.

The second theme is that the one who can heal can also forgive.  Jesus is in the presence of the leaders of the church and yet they are unable to heal or be instrumental in forgiveness. So they react to Jesus’ statement “Your sins are forgiven.”  Note first the man never asked to be healed or forgiven.  Jesus is responding to his friend’s faithfulness.  Jesus responds to his critics by demonstrating that forgiveness is in the authority of the Son of Man (found in Daniel) and that forgiveness leads to healing.  When seeing the power of Jesus, they are amazed and glorify God.

Because the friends would not allow any obstacle to impede them, they received the blessing.  While the Pharisees and scribes were more concerned with the letter of the law they were frustrated.

Luke 5:27-32 Calling of Levi.  We have another call to story this time to Levi (Matthew).  Levi was a tax collector and often treated by his fellow Jews as a traitor working for the oppressors.  Sometimes we may have similar feelings toward IRS workers who work for the government.  Tax collectors made their living by not just collecting what was owed to Rome but also would charge more and keep the difference.  Thus they were seen also as sinners.  So those who wanted to be pure would not associate with them.  So anyone who would eat with them would be considered impure because of sharing a meal with them. Once again Jesus does the unthinkable.  He who was pure ate with sinners.  So the criticism made was Jesus being judged by the company he keeps.  So Jesus responds about that “those who are well have no need for a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

This call story is not just about Levi.  It is about Jesus’ call to all of us.  It matters not who we are or what we have done.  What matters is are we willing to surrender to Jesus?  Jesus did not handpick the righteous, most virtuous, or most popular to follow him. What is scandalous is that Jesus’ style of discipleship is not built on separation from sinners but by association with sinners.  Where do you think churches today would fall on the continuum of separation or association?

Luke 5:33-39 Fasting.  Fasting is an important spiritual discipline but again Jesus drives a wedge between the letter of the law and the heart of the law.  He goes on to add that there is something new that is happening and that the new will supersede the old.  He is stating that the Kingdom is greater than anything that has gone on before.  What does that say to us today as we look at our churches?  Do we worship our tradition so much that we lose sight of the continuing presence of God amongst us?  Do we so prefer the “old wine” that we are unwilling to see the “new wine”?  Jesus declared in chapter 4 that “the year of the Lord” is upon us.  So today how do we respond to Jesus?