Luke 5:1 "And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon Him to hear the word of God, He stood by the lake of Gennesaret,"

There are so many people wanting to hear what Jesus is saying that they are crowding around Him and pressing up against Him. This is taking place at the shore of lake Gennesaret, also known as the sea of Galilee. We will see now what He will do to be able to speak to all the people.

Luke 5:2 "And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets."

There were two boats tied up at the shore line as their fishermen were washing their nets. The fishermen were finished for the day, and cleaning up their equipment.

Luke 5:3 "And He entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And He sat down, and taught the people out of the ship."

One of these boats belonged to Simon Peter, and Jesus asked Peter if He could use one of the boats to teach the people. Jesus got into Peter's boat, and pushed just off shore so that He could teach the people without being pressed. Some teach that because of the lay of the shore line, it was like teaching in an amphitheater where many could hear, in that there was no sound systems like we have today.

Luke 5:4 "Now when He had left speaking, He said unto Simon, "Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught."

Simon Peter was a commercial fisherman and he had been out fishing all night and caught nothing. The natural response for Peter would be to object because the nets were already cleaned, and it was not the right time of day for fishing. Here Jesus just walked up and asked to use his boat to speak, and now He wants to go fishing. However Simon Peter had just heard Jesus preach, and he will willing to do whatever Jesus wanted Him to do.

Luke 5:5 "And Simon answering said unto Him, "Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at Thy word I will let down the net."

Peter had cast his nets many times and came up with no fish. However, he said, if you want me to do it, I will. This is the way that most people act; "I know you want me to do this or that Lord, I have already done it and it just doesn't work, but if you want me to, I'll do it Lord." Then reluctantly they do what God has led them to do. They pray and work in disbelief. This is a good way to never have your prayer heard or answered.

Luke 5:6 "And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake."

Peter went out into the deep and cast his nets, and once the nets hit the water, there were so many fish in the nets that the nets were about to break. What this is telling us is that when the Lord tells you to do something, do it with faith. If you are led by God to do something, you will be successful in the task. It may be to witness to one person, or to address many people. It may be to pray for a person, or what ever it is, if the Lord told you to do it and gave you the gift to do the job, He expects you to be faithful in what you are led to do. When it came to fishing here, Jesus made Peter successful in his fishing. Where God tells you to fish, that is the place He wants you to fish.

In John 21:6 we see that Jesus is very detailed in His instruction to Simon Peter; "Cast the nets on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find." This holds true even today, for when we cast our nets to fish for men, it should always be to the right.

Luke 5:7 "And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink."

While the fish were running, they fished until they almost lost their boats. One more of the net may have sunk the boat. They became just a little greedy.

Luke 5:8 "When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord."

Peter saw the greed in his life and repented to the Lord. Sure, Peter knew exactly what he had done and he felt ashamed. At first he was telling Jesus that this is just a waste of time, and then when the fish are pouring in Peter's boat, he forgot all about the Lord. Peter knew that Jesus was something very special, for he just witnessed Jesus controlling nature itself. Peter saw Jesus bringing the fish to his nets at His command.

There is nothing impossible with our Heavenly Father, when you pray in faith, believing. Faith is part of believing, it is putting action to your prayers, with the confidence that your prayer is heard and help is on the way. It isn't any good to go fishing for men without taking Christ with you. It is only by the leading of the Holy Spirit that that you will be successful.

Luke 5:9 "For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:"

Think of it, fishing all night and catching nothing, then at the word of Jesus, instantly there were so many fish that it just about sunk the boat. When Peter thought of it, he was astonished.

Luke 5:10 "And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, "Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men."

Peter knew how to fish for fish, and He saw that Jesus was completely in control of even the forces of nature, when He told him to do something. Now Jesus is telling Peter that he would be a fisher of men. Instead of catching fish, Peter would now fish for men. Peter knew how to set the nets, and that many time your efforts would yield very little. In fishing for men it is the same way, you don't throw the anchor at them, or try to smother the man Jesus has led you to with words. You fish with words, a word of truth here, and an idea there, and then you wait for a response from the person. It is the Holy Spirit that must do the leading and sprouting of that seed of truth that you have planted.

Luke 5:11 "And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed Him."

After they arrived back at shore, Peter James and John left the boats, fish in them and all, and they left with the Lord. These disciples were so impressed and had the faith to obey Jesus, that they left the fishing business. Jesus was looking for men with faith and trust in Him that would be obedient. He started gathering His disciples from right where they were in life. These three were fishermen, and they gave themselves to the Lord while they were successful in what they were doing. They were not at the bottom of their rope in life, they just had the biggest catch in their life, and they gave it all up to follow Christ. Jesus didn't start his ministry with students at the local university who had no job, but with mature successful men, who were willing to leave all and serve Him completely.

Luke 5:12 "And it came to pass, when He was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought Him, saying, "Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean."

This poor man with leprosy had the faith to know beyond a doubt that Jesus could heal him. There was no doubt in his mind, for the "if" was left up to Jesus Christ whether He would heal this man or not. This is the type of faith that we should have in our prayers. He addressed the Lord properly, and demonstrated that He did have the faith in the healing.

Luke 5:13 "And He put forth His hand, and touched him, saying, "I will: be thou clean." And immediately the leprosy departed from him."

At the touch of our Lord and Savior, the leprosy changed this man from snow white to the natural skin color and the man was healed. The cleansed man was excited and wanted to leave right away.

Luke 5:14 "And He charged him to tell no man: but go, and shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them."

Jesus commanded the man to tell no one what had happened, but go directly to priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses and written in the law to be given where there is a cleansing. This is talking about Leviticus 14:4-7; "Then shall the priest command to take for him that is to be cleansed two birds alive and clean, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and Hyssop:" [4] "And the priest shall command that one of the birds be killed in an earthen vessel over running water:" [5] "As for the living bird, he shall take it, and the cedar wood, and the scarlet, and the hyssop, and shall dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water:" [6] "And he shall sprinkle upon him that is to be cleansed from the leprosy seven times, and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the living bird loose into the open field." [7]

Then after all this sacrificial cleansing has been finish, the priest is to instruct the one being cleansed to wash. Verse 8 "And he that is to be cleansed wash his clothes, and shave off all his hair, and wash himself in water, that he may be clean: and after that he shall come into the camp, and shall tarry abroad out of his tent seven days." Jesus used this manner to tell this man that had just been cleansed to go to the priest and have this done. Jesus told him to be quiet about the healing that had been done.

Sure this is all part of a blood ordinance ritual, and at the death of our Lord Jesus Christ, this all would be replaced by the shed blood of Christ on the cross. All of the blood ordinances were replaced and fulfilled once and for all times there at the cross. But remember that Christ had not been to the cross yet, so Jesus is following the laws that were in place at this time. Hebrews 10:3-10 lets us know that Jesus came in the volume of the book, to fulfill these rituals once and for all times.

We have seen many side-shows at healing meetings, but you don't have to be at a meeting to be healed. It is by faith in the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ, that brings about the healing, and not some man.

Luke 5:15 "But so much the more went there a fame abroad of Him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities."

When this healed man went to the priest, the word got around. The people heard of the healing by Jesus and they wanted to be healed by Him. Even today when word gets around that someone is healing, people run to the meeting to see the man healing. The problem with many of these people is they are looking to a man for their miracle and not to Christ.

Luke 5:16 "And He withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed."

After this one person was healed, Jesus had fulfilled His purpose for being there and went out to the country side to pray. Jesus did not stick around to put on a side show for the people, and take an offering.

Luke 5:17 "And it came to pass on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them."

We have the high scholars of the day here; the upper crust of the community coming out to witness the teaching of Jesus, and to see for themselves the healing. Did they believe? of course not. They were there for one purpose and that was to see if Jesus was in accordance with the law. They wanted to catch Jesus in an violation of their law. Did they care whether people were healed or not? We are told in Matthew 13:58 that not many were healed at this time because of their unbelief. This set the stage for what would follow.

Luke 5:18 "And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before Him."

This man was so crippled that he couldn't walk, and his friends sought to bring him into contact with Jesus. However it was so crowded around Jesus that they couldn't get near to Him.

Luke 5:19 "And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus."

The only way that these friends of this cripple man with palsy could get him to see Jesus was through the roof of the house. So that is what they did, cut a hole in the roof and let the man down on his pallet, to come into the presence of Jesus. As these men took this roof apart they knew that if they could get this man down there, he would be healed. There was no doubt in their minds at all that Christ could heal him. Sure they knew that they would have to repair this roof, but their friend would be healed.

Luke 5:20 "And when He saw their faith, He said unto him, "Man, thy sins are forgiven thee."

When Jesus saw the faith of these men, Listen to what Jesus said; "Thy sins are forgiven thee." Jesus knew that these men wanted healing and then Jesus said this. So what's going on here? Remember that tribe of Kenite Pharisee Scripture lawyers that were present from Jerusalem and all over the area; this would surely get their dander up. Even these Kenites knew that only God can forgive sins, and here Jesus is telling this man, "Thy sins are forgiven thee." They were expecting Jesus to heal the man, and He withheld the healing for now.

Luke 5:21 "And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, "Who is This Which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?"

Just who does this person think he is that is forgiving sins, only God alone can forgive sin? These Pharisees couldn't sit by and watch any more but now became part of the event. Sure they were over there on the side watching, but Jesus could read their minds. They thought that they had Jesus right where they want him. They think that Jesus has taken one step too many.

Luke 5:22 "But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answering said unto them, "What reason ye in your hearts?"

You don't have to say anything, for God can read your mind. So Jesus turned to them and spoke. What are you people over there talking about and trying to reason.

Luke 5:23 "Whether is easier, to say, `Thy sins be forgiven thee'' or to say, `Rise up and Walk?"

So Jesus asked them outright, "What is easier to say, thy sins be forgiven thee or Rise up and walk?" This was a loaded question for both questions required an act of God. When you tell someone to Rise up and walk, it becomes documented when the person gets up and walks. However the forgiving of sin is only recorded in Heaven. They knew that if the man rose up and walked, Jesus had the power of God, but there is no way to show off the forgiveness of sin. "So which is the easiest to say?"

Luke 5:24 "But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins," (He said unto the sick of the palsy,) "I say unto thee, `Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.' "

Jesus was addressing these Pharisees and he turned to the sick man and said, so that you may know that the Son of man, Jesus the Christ had power on earth to forgive sins, I will tell the man to get up and leave. Jesus is identifying Himself as the Son of God here. Jesus told the sick man to rise and go home.

Luke 5:25 "And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God."

This paralyzed man immediately got to his feet, took up his pallet and departed for his home, glorifying God all the way. This should set the Pharisees up on their feet to take notice.

Luke 5:26 "And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, "We have seen strange things to day."

Everybody in the place was amazed and praising God for what they had just seen. The Word "strange" as used here from the Greek text is # 3861; a "paradoxes", what is contrary to what is generally seen. This was an extra ordinary paradox, not strange, something that could only be believed if it was seen by these doubtful people. This man came in all crippled up, and at the voice of Jesus, he rolls up his pallet and runs of praising God.

Luke 5:27 "And after these things He went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and He said unto him, "Follow Me."

This Levi was a man named Matthew, and he was a tax collector. Jesus saw this unpopular tax collector sitting at his post collecting taxes, and He addressed Matthew and said, "Follow Me". This Matthew is the writer of the Gospel of Matthew.

Luke 5:28 "And he left all, rose up, and followed Him."

Notice the Power of Christ in calling His disciples. First He called Peter, James, John and Andrew, and they left their nets, boats, fish and all to follow Jesus. And here Matthew left his custom's table, money and all and followed Him. God chose these men and said follow Me, and in obedience they went. Levi, or Matthew had no choice in the matter, God did the choosing.

Luke 5:29 "And Levi made Him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them."

Jesus and his disciples went off to Matthew's house, and sat down for a feast with him and many government officials. The public looked upon this group of men as sinners and corrupt.

Luke 5:30 "But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against His disciples, saying, "Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?"

The scribes and Pharisees are down from the temple in Jerusalem, and they just can't understand why Jesus; the one that just forgave sin and healed the crippled man, would sit and eat and drink with this band of sinners. These religious elite just can't understand why Jesus would have any contact with them at all.

Luke 5:31 "And Jesus answering said unto them, "They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick."

Luke 5:32 "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

Jesus is telling them that he did not come to call the self righteous to repentance for they wouldn't repent anyway. Why would you repent if you think you are beyond reproach. If you want to catch fish, you go to where the fish are, if you want to catch sinners, you go to where the sinners are. It all depends on what you are trying to do, as to where you will go. We are to go to where God leads us. However there are some churches that would never let you preach in their church, if you preached against their traditions. The just couldn't handle it, it would be like pouring new wine in old bottles, and those bottles would just burst. Many of the Churches today Jesus Himself would not preach in, because they are so set in their traditional ways.

Luke 5:33 "And they said unto Him, "Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but Thine eat and drink?"

If you want to bring sinners into the fellowship of God in repentance, you go where they are. These people are the ones that need healing, and preaching, they will listen when you won't. The mind of the Pharisee and scribe just can't understand. They are standing outside the door looking in, and they see Jesus and His disciples having a party with these publicans. These Pharisees were looking forward to the coming of Messiah, while the disciples were with the Messiah and taking part in His Work.

Luke 5:34 "And He said unto them, "Can ye make the children of the bride chamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?"

Think about this, can you go to a wedding party here, and can you make the family of the marrying couple come to the wedding feast, and not touch the food and drink? the groom is there with them now, and the feast is set before them.

Luke 5:35 "But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days."

After Christ has been crucified, and rose from the dead; after He has ascended into heaven to be at the right hand of the Father. Then shall the children of the bridegroom fast and look forward to His coming. The true wedding feast that shall come will not be in this earth age of flesh man, but after the seventh trump, when Christ will be here on earth with us. The wedding invitation have already been given out, and you have one. What are you going to do with your invitation, accept it or refuse it.

Luke 5:36 "And He spake also a parable unto them; "No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old."

Do you think that you can go into the midst of a church group, that are set in their doctrine and traditional ways, and have them agree with you when you teach Bible doctrine that disagrees with their ways? Hardly, if you are with them they will not allow you to open your mouth to teach. If every week they hear the same message of salvation and baptism, over and over, and there is not one new person in the church for many years, that is all that group can handle. Sure salvation and baptism is important for conversion, but after the people are saved they need the meat of the Word. This is an analogy taking an old cloth that has been washed over and over, and there is a hole in it. Would you fix it with a new piece of cloth? Of course not, the new cloth would pucker up and look bad. That is how Jesus is presented it here.

Luke 5:37 "And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish."

If you take a old wine bag of leather that has sat empty for a long while, and put new wine in that bag, that bag would burst as the juices fermented and expanded.

Luke 5:38 "But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved."

Luke 5:39 "No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, `The old is better.' "

The old wine are the traditions that have been around for a very long time, sure they go against the Word of God, but it is what mom and dad taught me, and is taught in the church. The new likewise is the teachings from the Word of God chapter by chapter and verse by verse, taught as has never been taught in your church. If you can get a person to put his false doctrine and traditions of men aside just long enough to take a good look into the Word as it is, that person will not want to go back to the old traditions of mom and dad. When you have tasted of the Word and saw that it was good, that is all that you will want. 

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