Luke 5
Main Theme
Jesus is the savior of all who follow him in faith.
Outline
- Faith of Fishermen
- Key Verses - And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him. (vv. 10b-11)
- At this time, fishermen were not the most well-thought-out members of society. This is the beginning of Jesus intentionally going to groups people never expected him to. In faith they leave all they know to follow Jesus, not knowing they would become Apostles.
- Faith of a Leper
- Key Verse - While he was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy. And when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged him, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” (v. 12)
- Being a leper meant you were an outcast of society, and anyone who touched you would become unclean. In faith this man cries out to Jesus, and in his grace Jesus heals the man by touching him without becoming unclean.
- Faith of a Paralytic and His Friends
- Key Verses - And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.”…But that you know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” (v. 20 & v. 24a)
- In faith, this man’s friends lowered him through the roof because they believed Jesus would heal him, and by God’s grace through faith in Jesus, this man was healed. As Jesus healed the man, he made a clear statement: he has the authority to forgive sin.
- Faith of a Tax Collector
- Key Verse - And leaving everything, he rose and followed him. (v. 48)
- Tax collectors were despised in society. Therefore, for Jesus to call a tax collector to be one of his followers and to eat with him and his friends was a shock to society. By faith, not only did Levi (Matthew) follow Jesus while leaving a well-paying job, but he gathered his friends so that they, too, could know Jesus.
- Lack of Faith of the Pharisees
- Key Verse - And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” (v. 30)
- Those who sought to control society by burdening people with rules and regulations that misused God’s Word refused to see that Jesus is the Christ, the savior for all who place their faith in him.
Gospel Connection
Regardless of your background, your family history, your social status, or the sins you have committed, if you come to Jesus in repentance and faith, he will save you. Jesus promises salvation for all who believe and requires total allegiance from all whom he saves.
Whole Bible Connection
Throughout the Old Testament, there are glimpses that God is the God and savior of all who follow him in faith. The Book of Jonah records how God saved a people who were once enemies of God’s people. By God’s grace, through repentance and faith, God spared them from destruction. God is the one true God who saves all who repent of their sins and place their faith in Jesus.
Key Takeaways
Faith in Jesus does not mean adding Jesus to your life as if you were making room for him. It means following him becomes your life so that everything centers around him.
The leper's friends were not going to let anything stop them from bringing their friend to Jesus. Do you have this type of determination and faith in Jesus?
Levi was so overjoyed when he chose to follow Jesus that he invited all of his friends to come meet Jesus, but the Pharisees couldn’t believe Jesus would eat with such sinners. Do you find so much joy in Jesus that you want everyone you know to know him, or are you more like the Pharisees who believe some people are not worthy of being saved?