Luke Part 1 Week 22

Day 1 

RECEIVE 

Luke 5:22-24 

²² Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? ²³ Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? ²⁴ So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” 

Jesus had forgiven the sins of a paralyzed man. The Pharisees and teachers of religious law said to themselves, “Only God can forgive sins” and thought Jesus had committed blasphemy. Jesus knew their thoughts and posed a question to them. Then He proved He had the authority to forgive sins by telling the man, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” 

REFLECT 

Imagine what the crowd thought when Jesus told the paralyzed man to stand up and go home. 

RESPOND  

Jesus was the Messiah and had the authority to forgive sins and heal people. Today is the same, only God has the ability to heal and forgive sin. 

Day 2 

RECEIVE 

Luke 5:25-26 

²⁵ And immediately, as everyone watched, the man jumped up, picked up his mat, and went home praising God. ²⁶ Everyone was gripped with great wonder and awe, and they praised God, exclaiming, “We have seen amazing things today!” 

Jesus had told the paralyzed man to stand up, pick up his mat and go home. This man did exactly that to everyone’s surprise. As he did so, he “went home praising God.” The people realized they witnessed a miracle. They were in awe of what they had seen and they praised God. They did not try to explain it away as some natural phenomenon.  

REFLECT 

Have you seen God accomplish something that could not be explained naturally? 

RESPOND 

Join with a friend to talk about incidents you have witnessed that were beyond what was due to natural circumstances. Perhaps it could be the unusual growth of ministry. Or it could be a witness to the medical profession that all healing comes from God; if not, an incision would not heal after surgery.  

Day 3 

RECEIVE 

Luke 5:27-28 

²⁷ Later, as Jesus left the town, he saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. ²⁸ So Levi got up, left everything, and followed him. 

Levi was also known as Matthew, the writer God used to pen the first gospel in the Bible. Tax collectors were considered at the bottom of the social scale because they collected from the Jews to give to the Gentile Romans. Sometimes they collected more than they should have. Jesus chose this one despised by the population to follow Him and be His disciple. This is another indication that Jesus does not consider various classes of people. He loves everyone. 

REFLECT 

Have you sometimes thought that God would not choose you because you are not as qualified as others? 

RESPOND 

Visit with a friend about assuring others that God loves everyone, not just those in an upper class. Read 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 to support your statements. Read also Ephesians 2:8-9 to see that one is saved by faith in Jesus and not by works.  

Day 4 

RECEIVE 

Luke 5:29-30 

²⁹ Later, Levi held a banquet in his home with Jesus as the guest of honor. Many of Levi’s fellow tax collectors and other guests also ate with them. ³⁰ But the Pharisees and their teachers of religious law complained bitterly to Jesus’ disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with such scum?” 

Levi held a banquet in his home with Jesus as the guest of honor. Many of Levi’s friends from the despised class joined them. Other guests were there also. The religious leaders “complained bitterly” about this. They did not like it that Jesus was eating and drinking with those at the bottom of the social scale. They certainly would not be guilty of doing such a thing. 

REFLECT 

Are you surprised as you read about Jesus that He was not afraid to associate with all classes of people? 

RESPOND 

Join with a friend thinking about the times that Jesus associated with people that the religious leaders rejected. Jesus did not participate in their unholy conduct, but He associated with them to bring them to believe in Him.  

Day 5 

RECEIVE 

Luke 5:31-32 

³¹ Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. ³² I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.” 

Although the religious leaders had complained to Jesus’ disciples, He answered the leaders. The religious leaders did not think they needed any spiritual help—they thought they were righteous. Jesus made it clear He could only help those who knew they were sinners and needed to change their minds and behavior.  

REFLECT 

What kind of contacts do you have? Are all of your friends already believers in Jesus? You need them, but you also need to have contacts to reach the lost for Christ. 

RESPOND 

Visit with a friend about unbelievers with whom you have contacts. These could be service people that you see almost every day. Build a relationship with them so they can see what a Christ-follower should be like. Use your friendliness to open the door to witness to them about the difference Jesus has made in your life.