In chapter 5, Jesus is in full time ministry. He is calling disciples, healing many, and beginning to make people mad.
The chapter begins with him teaching from a boat and calling his first disciples. Peter, James, and John were all fishermen who became “fishers of men”. They saw Jesus for who he really was.
“When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”
and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.”
Luke 5:8, 10-11 NIV
As Jesus continues to heal, word spreads, and he is becoming quite the celebrity.
“Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses.
Luke 5:15 NIV
Jesus is gaining a lot of popularity. Pride could have easily crept in. He could have been seduced by fame and fortune and forgotten the suffering that was ahead of him.
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”
Luke 5:16 NIV
This is where we have a huge lesson to learn. We must never be “too busy” to have quiet moments with God. It’s what grounds us and reminds us of the truth. It’s how we stay focused on the future and not get lost in the worldly pleasures of the here and now.
It’s at this point that the Pharisees are beginning to get mad. Jesus is forgiving sins, healing more, and gathering huge crowds of followers.
Here is Becky Brown on the ministry of Christ:
Jesus healed a man with leprosy and He did it by reaching out and touching Him. No one was advised to touch a leper. Jesus did. Another teaching session was interrupted by friends bringing a paralyzed man to Jesus to be healed. In an expression of great faith, they pulled back a section of the roof of the house where Jesus was teaching and lowered the man and his bed right down to the very feet of Jesus. This man would rise to his feet, roll up his bed mat and rock on home after he was forgiven spiritually and healed physically.”
The Pharisees are in charge of keeping the people “in line” for the Roman officials. Jesus is threatening their leadership and control over the crowds. That’s a problem for them.
Jesus tells a parable about putting new wine into old wine skins.
“And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins. And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for they say, ‘The old is better.’ ””
Luke 5:37-39 NIV
Here he was using a metaphor to describe the Old Testament rules and laws. Jesus came as the new wine of God’s kingdom. Old things shall pass away. Time for the newness of Christ.
Dr Vet Sonya 