Luke 5
March Memory Verse: "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." Luke 19:10 NIV
Read: Luke 5
In Luke 5, we see Luke move from focusing solely on the ministry of Jesus, to focusing on Jesus doing ministry with his disciples. Jesus, God in flesh, chose to use ordinary people like you and me to advance the gospel and advance His Kingdom. Maybe like me, you wonder why God would choose to use broken people who need to grow and change to help broken people who need to grow and change. I have come to see using people in the process of redemption to bring the message of redemption to others is just another way God receives glory, because it certainly should not go to us!
In today’s passage, we see some principles of following Jesus that are good qualities for us to seek to put on as we ourselves follow Jesus.
1. A humble recognition of one’s sinful state. (v. 8)
2. Understanding that following Jesus is worth giving up everything. (v. 11, 28)
3. Caring for the physical needs of people. (v. 12-13)
4. The importance of spending focused, solitary time with God in prayer. (v. 16)
5. The primary importance of addressing spiritual needs and the secondary importance of addressing physical needs. (v. 20)
6. Having confidence that the gospel can save and transform anyone (even tax collectors!) to the glory of God. (v. 27)
7. Jesus was not afraid of spending time with messy and broken people for the sake of the gospel. (v. 29-32)
8. Jesus should be our greatest treasure, and what brings ultimate satisfaction to our lives. (v. 33-39)
Which one of these principles do you want to prayerfully focus on applying today? What other principles of following Jesus do you see in this passage?
By: Graham Withers
Read: Luke 5
In Luke 5, we see Luke move from focusing solely on the ministry of Jesus, to focusing on Jesus doing ministry with his disciples. Jesus, God in flesh, chose to use ordinary people like you and me to advance the gospel and advance His Kingdom. Maybe like me, you wonder why God would choose to use broken people who need to grow and change to help broken people who need to grow and change. I have come to see using people in the process of redemption to bring the message of redemption to others is just another way God receives glory, because it certainly should not go to us!
In today’s passage, we see some principles of following Jesus that are good qualities for us to seek to put on as we ourselves follow Jesus.
1. A humble recognition of one’s sinful state. (v. 8)
2. Understanding that following Jesus is worth giving up everything. (v. 11, 28)
3. Caring for the physical needs of people. (v. 12-13)
4. The importance of spending focused, solitary time with God in prayer. (v. 16)
5. The primary importance of addressing spiritual needs and the secondary importance of addressing physical needs. (v. 20)
6. Having confidence that the gospel can save and transform anyone (even tax collectors!) to the glory of God. (v. 27)
7. Jesus was not afraid of spending time with messy and broken people for the sake of the gospel. (v. 29-32)
8. Jesus should be our greatest treasure, and what brings ultimate satisfaction to our lives. (v. 33-39)
Which one of these principles do you want to prayerfully focus on applying today? What other principles of following Jesus do you see in this passage?
By: Graham Withers
27 Comments
The 8th principle is the one I want to focus on. In the midst of busyness and blessing, it is so easy to lose sight of this one. Often, I am either focused on the next task to accomplish or something I want from God or that He has given me. Hardly ever do I remember that the end of everything I do should be to deepen my enjoyment of and love for Jesus.
That's good Jordan!
Principle 5. Prioritizing spiritual needs first over physical needs. In my daily life, I often switch these around and devote more time to physical needs such as eating, exercising, sleep, etc, than I do in continual communication with God through the day, bringing my spiritual needs to Him.
Easy to do bro!
8. Just like all of us, I am busy...all the time. Busyness and work deadlines and family commitments consume my life and I lose focus of the main thing. I want my focus and satisfaction to be in Jesus alone.
That's awesome Jennifer!
Without Christ a man's future has the same bleak outlook as the paralytic mentioned in this passage. Maybe even more so, this is true for the leper.
But with Christ, the future is BETTER than we can imagine. Better by far.
True!
For me, I am focusing on principle #1 (A humble recognition of one's sinful state).
I need to lay down my pride that says I have it all figured out and I'm perfect. Highlight areas of sin in my life for the purpose of glorifying Jesus and to begin to work on those areas.
Thanks for these practical principles today, Graham!
That's good Thomas!
4) The importance of spending focused, solitary time with God in prayer. (v. 16)
We live in a culture of constant activity & noise. (iPhone, iPad, TV, Facebook, Twitter, podcasts, etc). When was the last time I turned off my iPhone, iPad, and TV for 2 or 3 hours, other than when sleeping? If I'm honest with myself this almost never happens. Unplugging from all these distractions is probably one of the most important things we can do to turn our attention to "focused, solitary time with God in prayer". Thank you for the commentary Graham and for reminding us of our most important priorities. As Jesus said to Simon Peter, "from now on you will fish for people". Regardless of our respective professions, all Christ followers are in the fishing business.
Great application!
Thanks Graham. I'm going to remember Principle 2 and focus on the value of Jesus in my life today. He's truly my greatest treasure!
Awesome Tim!
I want to focus on Principle 6. Often times I am scared and almost selective of who I share/ talk about the gospel with. How wicked of me. Keeping the life changing news of Jesus from those he has called me to make disciples and share with.
Awesome Nick!
5. The primary importance of addressing spiritual needs and the secondary importance of addressing physical needs. (v. 20)
This is one I think we get caught up on a lot. It's not wrong to pray for the physical needs, and it is a good thing to do so, but they need to be a secondary focus. We often ask Jesus to heal our physical needs, or pray for someone else who may need physical healing. However, if the heart is not right with God, it wouldn't matter if your physical body were perfect. We need to focus on the spiritual needs more so than the physical, because this body is only temporary, but if people do not believe, if they do not have a right spiritual standing with God, they will be eternally separated from Him. Praying I can focus on the spiritual more than the physical!
Good thoughts Scottie!
The 4th principle stood out to me while reading the passage. Having feelings is not always welcome around other people, and it can be hard to find time or place to be alone. But perhaps creativity is important in finding ways to get alone and communicate with God only (prayer-journaling in a walk-in closet, for instance).
Good thoughts Naomi!
I am going to focus on the 6th. I become so selfish when sharing the gospel because I tend to cast judgment on others and doubt their redemption. I need to remember Jesus can redeem anyone and I shouldn't assume the opposite when sharing with others. Evangelism/Discipleship isn't just inviting someone to church and hoping God does the rest. While God is the only one who can save someone, we have to take the initiative to ask them questions, pour into them, show them scripture, and follow up with them on a weekly basis to help them grow.
Awesome Tabor!
2 and 4 speak to me the most. The disciples leaving everything behind and following Jesus without hesitation and without questions shows me how I should follow Jesus, and I know I need to set more time aside to pray without any distractions.
That's good Dale!
Great post Graham.
Thanks bro!
I definitely want to focus on both 4 and 5. Thanks Graham for this post-always good to be reminded of what my priorities need to be!