Luke 5:27-39
Luke 5:27-39
In Luke 5:27-32, Jesus calls a tax collector named Levi (Matthew) to be one of his disciples, and then shares a meal with other tax collectors. Tax collectors were thought to be some of the worst “sinners” of the time. They would often steal money and were thought to be traitors. When Jesus decided to share a meal with them, he was associating with them in a way that was not acceptable by the Jewish establishment. It was thought that this level of connection would make an otherwise (outwardly) “righteous” person “unclean”. As he was being asked why he would associate himself with these “sinners”, Jesus these people were the exact people he came to save. He did not come to save people who do not think themselves needing saving; he came to save those who are “sick” and understand their need for repentance, not just outward righteousness.
Verses 33-39 center around the new covenant Jesus was ushering in through himself. Being in the presence of Jesus is more valuable than following the traditions of the Pharisees. The coming of Jesus also brings with it the forgiveness of sins that supersede the sacrifices and man-made traditions in order to keep the law. Jesus alone kept the law perfectly, and through his sacrifice, all can come to repentance. It is unnecessary to mix the legalistic tradition of men with the perfect sacrifice of Jesus.
The gospel is the only thing that can bring about true heart change. The grace given us by Christ is the only thing that can make someone clean. This means that being around “unclean” people does not affect our standing before God; it instead allows us to be on mission for Christ and to make disciples in our own worlds. It also means that it is impossible to be made righteous by our own works; we are saved through faith in Christ alone.
These truths should be pillars for how we live our lives.
In what ways do you live as if your works earn you more of God’s love or approval?
By: Graham Withers
In Luke 5:27-32, Jesus calls a tax collector named Levi (Matthew) to be one of his disciples, and then shares a meal with other tax collectors. Tax collectors were thought to be some of the worst “sinners” of the time. They would often steal money and were thought to be traitors. When Jesus decided to share a meal with them, he was associating with them in a way that was not acceptable by the Jewish establishment. It was thought that this level of connection would make an otherwise (outwardly) “righteous” person “unclean”. As he was being asked why he would associate himself with these “sinners”, Jesus these people were the exact people he came to save. He did not come to save people who do not think themselves needing saving; he came to save those who are “sick” and understand their need for repentance, not just outward righteousness.
Verses 33-39 center around the new covenant Jesus was ushering in through himself. Being in the presence of Jesus is more valuable than following the traditions of the Pharisees. The coming of Jesus also brings with it the forgiveness of sins that supersede the sacrifices and man-made traditions in order to keep the law. Jesus alone kept the law perfectly, and through his sacrifice, all can come to repentance. It is unnecessary to mix the legalistic tradition of men with the perfect sacrifice of Jesus.
The gospel is the only thing that can bring about true heart change. The grace given us by Christ is the only thing that can make someone clean. This means that being around “unclean” people does not affect our standing before God; it instead allows us to be on mission for Christ and to make disciples in our own worlds. It also means that it is impossible to be made righteous by our own works; we are saved through faith in Christ alone.
These truths should be pillars for how we live our lives.
In what ways do you live as if your works earn you more of God’s love or approval?
By: Graham Withers
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