Luke 5

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In Luke 5 Jesus calls the first disciples, 4 fishemen and a tax collector. He also heals a man with leprosy and a paralyzed man.

First Disciples

The first disciples that Jesus selected were four fishermen: Simon, Andrew, James, and John. Simon, who was later named Peter, and Andrew were brothers, as were James and John. These men were business partners (Luke 5:10).

In Luke 5:1-11, Jesus taught a crowd beside the Sea of Galilee from Simon’s boat. The men had fished all night to no avail, and were cleaning their nets (Luke 5:2, 5). After speaking, Jesus told Simon to go fishing. On faith, the men set out to fish again, and this time caught an astonishing number of fish. These four disciples left everything to follow Jesus (Luke 5:11).

Luke 5 Outline

5:1-11
Jesus calls 4 fishermen to be disciples
5:1-10
Miraculous catch of fish
5:10-11
Fishermen forsake all to follow Jesus
5:12-16
Jesus heals man with leprosy
5:12-13
Jesus touches man to heal leprosy
5:14
Jesus charges man to tell no-one about healing
5:15-16
News of this miracle draws crowds to Jesus
5:17-26
Jesus forgives and heals a paralyzed man
5:17-19
Paralyzed man lowered from roof to Jesus
5:20-24
Jesus forgives the man’s sins
5:24-26
Jesus heals man from his paralysis
5:27-39
Jesus calls Matthew (Levi) to be a disciple
5:27-28
Matthew leaves everything to follow Jesus
5:29-39
Matthew holds a great feast to honor Jesus
5:30-32
Jesus the Great Physician
5:33-39
Parables about old & new covenants

Miracles of Compassion

Compassion was a key facet of many miracles that Jesus performed. Jesus healed a man who suffered from leprosy in Luke 5:12-16. Leprosy is a debilitating disease that is externally manifested with scaly skin lesions. The Hebrews were commanded to avoid contact with those who suffered from leprosy (Leviticus 13).

In a gesture of compassion, Jesus touched the untouchable. The cure from this healing touch was immediate (Luke 5:13). The man went from being shunned by society to being touched by the Lord. Jesus charged the man to show himself to the priest. The ceremonial purification of the priests (Leviticus 14) fulfilled the requirements of the Old Law, and restored the man’s social and religious standing as an Israelite.

Fast Facts

  • Jesus had power to read the unspoken thoughts of men (Luke 5:22, John 2:25).
  • As a Jew, Matthew would have been hated for collecting taxes for Rome. Jesus' selection of Matthew reminds us that God does not show partiality (Acts 10:34).
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