Luke 5:1-6 One day as Jesus was standing by the Sea of Galilee with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, 2 he saw at the water’s edge two boats left there by the fishermen who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.
 
IN John’s gospel, we learn Jesus’ first encounter with Peter began a very purposeful call on Peter’s life: John 1:42 And Andrew (Simon’s brother) brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas.” (which, when translated, is Peter). This occurred near the Jordan River. From there Jesus and the first of his followers traveled to Capernaum, site of this miracle. The Lord used Peter and his boat to demonstrate his authority over nature. Peter would come to do similar miracles to reveal Jesus in Israel.
    We often view Peter as “the disciple who betrayed Jesus.” With our hearts prone to judgement, we forget that Peter is the disciple whom the resurrected Jesus commissioned to, “Feed my sheep.” (John 21) Jesus forgave him. We should, too.
    Luke tells us in Acts that Peter was a passionate man who taught and ministered the Lord Jesus’ gospel to Israel. Peter was a real disciple who had a real relationship with his Lord that began to develop on the shore of Galilee.
    We see Peter doubted, didn’t he? He even wanted to deny Jesus’ instructions. Why wouldn’t he? After all, Peter, his brother, Andrew, and his cousins – perhaps John and James – had been fishing all night with no results. Peter knew fishing. He knew the best fishing time was done. Why obey the Rabbi’s instructions? What is the point of one more net drop?
    Do you ever think that way about Jesus? Do you hear Jesus’ instructions, some as radical as, “Forgive those who sin against you.” (from Matthew 6:12b) and “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23) These and many more seem to call us far beyond our ability and understanding.
    Peter obeyed because the Spirit stirred Peter to move past his doubt and weariness into Jesus’ tender care for him.  Peter took a big step toward discipleship. He believed the Lord’s command that morning.
    Ultimately, Peter’s belief in Jesus would be deeper than the sea he fished. When you read Acts 2-4 and 10-12, you will see how the Spirit moved Peter to great apostolic work. Peter’s doubt and excuses evaporated into the faith the Spirit so generously granted him.
    Let’s, then, put aside the summary of Peter’s life with, “He betrayed Christ.” Instead, remember Jesus guided Peter into a fruitful ministry. Let’s remember and live Peter’s faithful response to Jesus, “Because you say so.”
 
Prayer: Cover my doubts, Holy Spirit, with a submissive true faith in Jesus, the Living Son of God. In his name I pray. Amen.
 

Luke 4:43 But he said, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.”  44 And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.
 
AS we close Luke 4, we should stop and remember the work Jesus has done since John baptized him. Jesus comforted and defeated the devil’s temptations. Jesus taught the Scriptures in synagogues. Jesus declared and defended his mission in Nazareth. Jesus exorcised demons. Jesus healed. Notice Jesus did all of these with the spoken Word. That is the power of Jesus’ ministry, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” 
    This is the Trinity at work. The Father sent the Spirit to empower the Son to preach the kingdom’s good news. We know from Jesus’ preaching that the good news is essentially a two-part sermon: “You have sinned. I am your redeemer.” All who heard Jesus preach would hear that their sins disqualified them from kingdom living, and he is the way to eternal life: John 3:3 In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” And then Jesus would preach to them of the remarkable way they could be born again into the kingdom: John 3:18 “Whoever believes in the Son is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” 
    Is the preaching central in your church? Jesus’ church today must remember a pastor is to “preach of the good news of the kingdom of God”. If you are one God has called to preach, be firm to proclaim the two-part kingdom message of sin and redemption. Paul wrote it this way: Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!
     Preach: Sin is death. Preach: Jesus is Redeemer. The only way “the good news of the kingdom of God” became good news is Jesus’ preaching.  
    Now this must be the church. The reason the church exists is to preach the good news of the kingdom of God. Is the Word of God saving power in your church?
 
Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the good news to teach us we are sinners and you are Savior. Amen.  

Luke 4:42 At daybreak Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him, and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them.
 
HOW good it would be that all Christians are as the people of Capernaum were that day. They had heard Jesus’ preaching, and they had witnessed demons cast out. People were miraculously healed!. Jesus, fully God and fully man, was intentionally intense with his people to, “Proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:19). Our Lord gave all of himself short of the cross. Then the Jews wanted more.
    And why wouldn’t they? You certainly want more of such a God as this, don’t you? Or do you?
    Could it be we don’t want all of Jesus? Perhaps we want all his love, but we set aside his challenging commands. We especially put aside the ones that remind us of our personal faith challenges. Possibly we love his sacrifice, but we stop short of our own sacrificial living.
    Yes, we can know in our heat that wanting more of Jesus is to be our greatest desire. But we may feel that being with Jesus can challenge us too much. Is it difficult to be next to his perfection? Too easily, it seems, we abruptly stray into our own pathway. With regret and sometimes shame, we wonder, “Will I ever get it right?”
    The answer, of course, is that we will not live perfectly. So acknowledge that and know this: Jesus knows about you. That’s why he has been – and still is – intentionally intense to welcome you to, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:29-30)
    Jesus knows you need him to hold your hand, to embrace you as you walk through your daily challenges. Welcome his outstretched arm and allow his embrace to keep you in his purity.  
    Be mindful Jesus’ great love for you caused him to become shame and guilt, so he could remove those chains from your soul forever.
    Yes, you should want him to stay – always teaching your` mind, always strengthening your heart, always encouraging your soul.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for being intentionally intense to stay with me, so I may stay with you forever. Amen.
 

Luke 4:38-41 Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. 39 So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them. 40 When the sun was setting, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. 41 Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Christ.
 
FIRST, one easily overlooked detail of this account is that people brought loved ones to Jesus for healing when the sun was setting. This means the Sabbath was over. People were now free of the Pharisees’ restrictive Sabbath travel and work laws. God did not make the Sabbath, so man could make more rules. He made the Sabbath for rest, healing and renewal.  
    We note in these verses how personal Jesus becomes with his creation. As we often read and hear of Jesus’ healing ministry, we can easily forget that this is a remarkable aspect of God’s favor. The Son of God left heaven for a time to tell and show us the Holy God is Father, Son and Spirt, who will go to extreme measures for the good of his creation. This is truly astounding!
    Note, too, that this is a second time Jesus has rebuked a demon to be quiet. Why did he keep the demons from confessing, “You are the Son of God!”
    Jesus didn’t want to hear from the demons. Their words were hypocritical insults. After all, they had left heaven to follow Satan. The devil was their lord! Why would Jesus seek affirmation from such rebellious spirits?
    A second reason Jesus rebuked the demons relates to the Jews’ traditions. Because the demons called him by name, some Jews believed that Jesus was working with Satan! Some Pharisees accused Jesus of receiving his power from evil spirits. (See Luke 11:15-19.) Again, the demons’ goal was to discredit the Lord.
    Be true to what you say. Do not speak of Jesus as your Lord unless he is your personal Lord and Savior. In that personal relationship, you must know Jesus rules your heart. His death and resurrection is his means to personally saved you from the demonic realm. If you tell someone, “I am a Christian.” be sure to honor the Lord with your loving worship.
 
Prayer. Thank you, Jesus, for your healing. You are my personal Lord and Savior. Help me love and live your commands as you have taught. Amen.  

​The Word Frees the Captive
 
Luke 4:33-37 In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an evil spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, 34 “Ha! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are – the Holy One of God!” 35 “Be quiet!” Jesus said sternly. “Come out of him!” 36 All the people were amazed and said to each other, “What is this teaching? With authority and power, he gives orders to evil spirits, and they come out!” 37 And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area.
 
WHEN you are amazed at Jesus’ power as the people at Capernaum, you quickly want to tell others, don’t you? Are you amazed about your salvation?
    There was much to tell in Capernaum. Can you imagine? The demon obeyed the Son of Man. The demon knew Jesus could destroy him. He had an appropriate fear of God. He did not doubt God’s Word.
    Unfortunately, too many people who say they are Christians doubt what God says. Surveys reveal 50% of chur-going people in the U.S. do not believe the devil is real. That also means 50% deny the authority and truth of God’s Word! We cannot call Jesus, “Lord.” if we do not submit to his word.
    This ignorance and denial of the truth is one form of demonic influence. We must confront demonic influence and possession with the power of God’s Word. After all, the Word is the sword of the Spirit. (Ephesians 6:.17) And Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Ffrom Genesis to Revelation, the battle rages. Does this amaze you?  
    Demons hold captive many people through physical and mental illness, idol worship and ignorance of God’s Word. Demons draw people into the dark chains of materialism, animism, witchcraft, astrology and countless man-formed religions. Many ministers, evangelists and missionaries testify of demonic influence among the people they serve.
    As in all spiritual battles, we know our sure hope is in Jesus’ victory. Romans 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
    After all, Jesus is the Holy One of God. The demons knew who is Lord. We must know, too, and trust all of  his Word is true.
     
Prayer: Unchain my heart, Lord, from anything that binds me from truly worshiping you. Thank you, Jesus, for delivering me from evil. Amen.   

​Furious or Amazed?
 
Luke 4:28-32 All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. 29 They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him down the cliff. 30 But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way. 31 Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath began to teach the people. 32 They were amazed at his teaching, because his message had authority.
 
DO you see him? The devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8) How do we know?
    Remember at the conclusion of Jesus’ temptation, Luke says  the devil left him until an opportune time. (Luke 4:13) Such an opportune time came in Nazareth and its synagogue.
    Only evil would cause the Jews to be furious when they heard Jesus judging their disobedient hearts. To be furious is to be all-out, energetic and passionate against something. Furious can even be out of control. In effect, a riot broke out against Jesus! Satan causes the world still to furiously oppose Jesus and all law and order.
    But the Sprit protected Jesus, and he moved his ministry to Capernaum. In contrast to Nazareth’s passionate fury, the people of Capernaum were amazed at his teaching, because his message had authority. To be amazed is to be struck with astonishment. A wonder and joy will fill you as the good news miracle infuses your heart. Luke used amazed 10 times in his gospel and five times in Acts to describe people’s Spirit-anointed response to Jesus’ gospel.
    Furious with evil intent the people of Jesus’ hometown moved to throw him over a cliff to his death. In contrast, with astonished wonder the people of Capernaum received the Lord’s good news of God’s favor upon  them.
    This threat against Jesus’ life was one of many. God’s will is done to protect him here. Jesus walks from Nazareth’s fury into Capernaum’s wonder to continue his ministry.
    Yes, evil is furious against God. In response we must be amazed God teaches us to know the way to eternal life! Astonished with God’s grace, we can joyfully be on mission to be the Lord’s witnesses, even when people are furious to stop us.
   
Prayer: Heavenly Father, teach me to be furious against sin and to live amazed for you. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
 

Luke 4:23-27 Jesus said to them, “Surely you will quote this proverb to me: ‘Physician, heal yourself! Do here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.’” 24 “I tell you the truth,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown. 25 I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. 26 Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon. 27 And there were many in Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleanse – only Naaman, the Syrian.”
 
THIS is a good point to be reminded that a Christ-follower may not be effective at home. Jesus, speaking to people who watched him grow up, makes this point with Elijah’s and Elisha’s ministries.
    1 Kings 17 tells us Elijah’s life was threatened in Israel, the home of God’s ten tribes who had split from Judah and Benjamin. In response, God sent the prophet to Zarephath, a foreign pagan land. There God used Elijah to show his goodness. He provided the daily bread for a widow and her son when she had one last meal to eat. (See 1 Kings 17:15-16.)
    Elisha, too, lived in Israel and followed Elijah’s ministry. Yet, it was Naaman, a foreign – and pagan – military officer who had leprosy. He heard of Elisha’s power through his servant girl he had brought from Israel. At her urging, Naaman went to Elisha for healing. (See 2 Kings 5.)
    These are just two incidents when God’s own people rejected God’s prophets. They rejected God’s provision. They rejected God.
    Foreign unbelievers obeyed the prophets and received the blessings the Lord had prepared for Israel.
    In a like manner, people closest to you will often reject your attempts to share the gospel. You may have experienced this. When you speak to them about God’s salvation, love, forgiveness and  promises, they might look at you with contempt or say, “Who made you God?” Of course, you could respond, “The Holy Spirit has caused me to be God’s messenger of his grace to save your soul.”
    As people reject God’s Word, remember to be as Jesus. Know that your responsibility is to first speak of God and his favor to draw mankind to him. Second, your life’s purpose is to follow Jesus as closely as you can. Pray for your own heart to receive Jesus’ teachings. When you do, you will gain a closer relationship with him. Pray for your family and friends to know this, too. Remember that true belief ultimately occurs when the Spirit opens pagan hearts to Jesus.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for your great words to teach me of sin and salvation. In Jesus’ name, humble my heart, Holy Spirit, to hear, tell and live your truth. Amen.   

Luke 4:22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked.
 
THE Nazarenes asked, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”
    The question can be spoken and heard in two ways. First, “How good to know Jesus grew up among us? We know his father and mother!” The second way to understand this could be, “Is this really true? Jesus grew up working with his father in stone and wood construction. How could this Scripture be fulfilled through this uneducated man?”
    This second attitude apparently dominated the Nazareth mindset. We learn this from Matthew 13:54-57a Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. 55 “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? 56 Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” 57 And they took offense at him.
    They took offense at Jesus’ gracious words of promise. They didn’t trust he had any special knowledge to fulfill any Scripture!
    But the “amazed” and “Who do you think you are?” responses are the conflicting reactions to Jesus throughout his ministry. The gospels often describe two things were true about those who heard Jesus’ teachings: One, many people were amazed at what he taught them. And two, the authorities wanted to kill him: Mark 11:18 The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.
    This response to God’s Word is witnessed in Acts as the church began. This response remains unchanged in our churches today. How many times has a church member said, “Good sermon. That’s just what I needed to hear.” They seemed  amazed – happy – to know God’s Word was so personal for them. Certainly those who responded that way would adjust their faith walk to God’s teachings, wouldn’t they?
    But pastors and teachers quickly tire of such talk because most people walk out the door and step directly back into the way they were before the sermon. They were “killing” God’s Word, keeping it from planting into their hearts for change.
    Remember, it’s not a good sermon until you become as God teaches you to be. The Jews were eager to hear good, grace-filled teaching. They wanted freedom from the Romans, Pharisees and Sadducees who ruled over them. But very, very few entered into Jesus’ teaching to become his disciples.
   
Prayer: I pray, Lord, I will truly live Psalms 119:2 Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart. In the Spirit’s power I pray. Amen.

Luke 4:18-22 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, 21 and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” 22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked.
 
WE repeat verses 18-21 from the previous lesson. We want to focus here on God’s favor – his grace to the Jews and to us.
    When Jesus read from Isaiah 61:1-2, he emphasized he had come in God’s power to announce the fulfillment of God’s grace upon mankind. This would be extraordinary news to God’s people. But were they confused about their God? For about 400 years prior to Jesus’ arrival, the Pharisee system was established. These leaders added an increasing number of encumbering rules to God’s laws. The Jews could easily see God as a restrictive taskmaster!
    Grace was unseen and silent in their view. God became impossible to comprehend, and the Jews’ hearts became more distant from their God.
    In God’s favor, though, Jesus came to free his people from both sin and the false “rules only” religion. This is one reason Jesus said in Matthew 11:29-30 "Take my yoke (teaching) upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  He was urging the Jews to live under God’s gracious laws that point to redemption.
    Grace, of course, is the gospel’s foundation. The truth of God’s grace is a repetitive, necessary teaching in the New Testament epistles. The apostles urged the converted Jews and Gentiles to believe and know salvation came from God: Ephesians 2:4-5 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions –  it is by grace you have been saved. By grace – because of God’s favor – you have been saved.
    Do you believe you must do more and more to be saved, to be welcomed into God’s heaven? Or do you rejoice and rest faithfully in God’s grace because you know the gospel points you to redemption?
 
Prayer: I pray, Father, that I fully accept your gracious gospel. Thank you that Jesus’ blood has saved me into your gracious, loving arms forevermore. Amen. 

Luke 4:18-22 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, 21 and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” 22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked.
 
WE repeat verses 18-21 from the previous lesson. We want to focus here on God’s favor – his grace to the Jews and to us.
    When Jesus read from Isaiah 61:1-2, he emphasized he had come in God’s power to announce the fulfillment of God’s grace upon mankind. This would be extraordinary news to God’s people. But were they confused about their God? For about 400 years prior to Jesus’ arrival, the Pharisee system was established. These leaders added an increasing number of encumbering rules to God’s laws. The Jews could easily see God as a restrictive taskmaster!
    Grace was unseen and silent in their view. God became impossible to comprehend, and the Jews’ hearts became more distant from their God.
    In God’s favor, though, Jesus came to free his people from both sin and the false “rules only” religion. This is one reason Jesus said in Matthew 11:29-30 Take my yoke (teaching) upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  He was urging the Jews to live under God’s gracious laws that point to redemption.
    Grace, of course, is the gospel’s foundation. The truth of God’s grace is a repetitive, necessary teaching in the New Testament epistles. The apostles urged the converted Jews and Gentiles to believe and know salvation came from God: Ephesians 2:4-5 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions –  it is by grace you have been saved. By grace – because of God’s favor – you have been saved.
    Do you believe you must do more and more to be saved, to be welcomed into God’s heaven? Or do you rejoice and rest faithfully in God’s grace because you know the gospel points you to redemption?
 
Prayer: I pray, Father, that I fully accept your gracious gospel. Thank you that Jesus’ blood has saved me into your gracious, loving arms forevermore. Amen.