Luke : Day 11

Read Luke 5: 1-26

So far, Jesus had demonstrated His power over the created world, over illness and spiritual evil. But now we see how he deals with sin - and with those who have sinned. Luke recorded three miraculous events:

1) The huge catch of fish

We would expect Peter to be jumping around in excitement at the income these fish would bring him. But the power and goodness of Jesus struck him forcefully. He recognised that Jesus is more than a man - He controlled nature, He had to be at least a prophet from God. And that made Peter ashamed of his own sinfulness. 

Luke doesn't tell us that Peter had committed any great crime. People often assume that as long as we don't break the law and are kind most of the time, that we are good enough for God. But when we compare ourselves to the perfect One - Jesus - just as Peter did, we realise that our dirty thoughts, angry words and selfish actions are sinful. 

But Jesus didn't turn away in disgust - He told Peter not to be afraid! Peter was just the kind of man Jesus wanted for a special mission - telling the world about the hope for sinners Jesus brings.

2) The man with leprosy

The illness described as leprosy in the Bible was very serious - it was incurable and contagious, and the person diagnosed with it was separated from society to protect others. In the Bible it also provides us with a picture of the effects of sin. We cannot cure ourselves of our sinful tendencies, and our sin separates us from God.

But Jesus showed love to this man, and actually touched him, showing no fear of his condition... and the man was healed! 

In the same way, Jesus loves you despite your sin, and wants to deal with it and remove it, giving you a heart like His. 

3) The paralysed man

It might seem as though Jesus misunderstood this man's problem. He ignored his paralysis and said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven" (verse 20). The religious leaders were furious! They counted this as an insult to God, a serious sin.

But Jesus knew that this man's most serious need was to be forgiven. And now that He had everyone's attention, He proved His God-given authority by healing the man! Everyone knew that a miraculous healing was the work of God, so they needed to take Jesus seriously when He said that He could also forgive sins. And the leaders were right - only God can forgive sins, and Jesus is God!

“Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

Luke 5:21