Luke Chapter 5

vs 11

This was the big test. Ok, you might take orders about fishing from a preacher because you think a miracle might happen. But do you walk away from your livelihood to follow him? Like Peter said, "Because you said it, I will do it". And they do follow him.

vs 12

We're going to see lots of healings, and it is often worth asking why they are included. Unfortunately, as with so many things, there is a lot of pregnant meaning in these short stories that is culturally relevant.

All healings of skin diseases particularly are wonderful for the person involved, because it means they can rejoin society, as they are once again religiously clean. This one does have a portion of that in the story.

vs 13

Jesus' willingness makes the guy clean. If it was only his willingness that was stopping this guy from being clean (at least in his own mind, because that's how he asked) then I think that's a pretty good amount of faith. I mean, if someone came up to me and said "If you are willing, then cure my illness!" they are assuming I have everything else I need at my disposal to do it.

vs 14

Here is the link to the religious system and cleanness - now that he has been cleansed, he is to make the religious offerings for that. But there is also this messianic secret again. This time, Jesus doesn't want the ex-leper to spread the word. Why would that be? Surely Jesus wouldn't have the same reason for telling a demon to shut up?

vs 15

It doesn't actually say that the ex-leper spilled the beans, but someone obvoiusly noticed, because Jesus gets cramped pretty quick.

vs 16

And Jesus spent plenty of time with them too, but he also withdrew and found lonely places . His own time with himself (ie God) was important.

I read an interesting article questioning how much Jesus knew about his own divinity. I didn't agree with it's final summary, but at times like this it's worthwhile asking the question.

vs 17

So a bunch of Pharisees etc were there from all over the shop. We were all waiting for them to show up. But the thing that strikes me is "the power of the Lord was present for him to heal the sick". What does that mean? Didn't Jesus always have this power? if he did, why put this verse?

vs 18

Which is nice. It doesn't say who the men were - brothers, mates? Anyway, they are keen to see him well again.

vs 19

Did I say keen? How about "breaking and entering, causing massive damage" keen?

vs 20

And of course, I will end here on this massive verse. There is so much tied up with Jesus' words, it spans the whole of human history. And it is interesting that Jesus chooses this time, when there's a bunch of Pharisees around, to make this point, rather than, say, when a leperous man falls in front of him. Fireworks a comin'!