The Road to Redemption | Day 9: Luke 5:1-26 – Jesus' Authority to Call and Forgive
In Luke 5:1-26, we see the power of Jesus’ call, the scope of His authority, and the joy of forgiveness. First, Jesus calls Simon Peter, along with James and John, to leave their nets and follow Him. The miraculous catch of fish reveals Jesus’ divine power and exposes Peter’s unworthiness, prompting his humble confession, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man." Yet, Jesus responds with grace, commissioning him to fish for people. This scene shows that Jesus uses imperfect people to carry out His mission, transforming them by His power and calling.
Reading Scripture with Christ at the Center
When it comes to reading the Bible there is one thing that I hear more than anything else. People have trouble understanding some parts of the Bible. I believe that a significant part of this is rooted in the way that we view the Bible. Rethinking how we view the Bible is an important first step for knowing how to understand it and apply it.
When I was younger, I read the Bible looking for things I could do. I saw the Bible as a big book that was filled with stories and rules that were telling me how to live. In a sense, this is true. God's word shows us how to live, but I was approaching it completely from the wrong perspective.
The Sufficiency of Christ
We live in a world that is obsessed with the next big thing. When I was young if you had shown me a lineup of people sleeping in the streets in an urban area, I would have assumed that the cause of this was homelessness. Now, you would have to wonder if perhaps it was a group of people waiting for the next big electronic device to be released. Many of us want to have the next iteration of a device so badly that extreme measures are taken to ensure the device is acquired. All of this obsession for the next big thing and chances are that the people waiting in line may in fact have a similar device with them that works just fine. It is easy for the newest version of our precious devices to convince us that what we have is not sufficient for what we need for it to do. Our thinking can be overcome with ways that we can afford the upgrade until we get that new electronic marvel.
Sent For This Purpose: Luke 4:31-44 | Power, Purpose, and the Kingdom of God
Why did Jesus come? In Luke 4, Jesus not only teaches with divine authority, but His power is displayed as He commands unclean spirits, heals the sick, and proclaims the kingdom of God. The people marvel at His authority, but Jesus makes it clear—He did not come just to perform miracles, but to preach the good news of God's reign.
This passage challenges us: Do we recognize Jesus' authority in our own lives? Do we submit to His Word, trusting that He alone has the power to save? As the demons tremble and the sick are healed, we see that Christ’s ultimate mission was to proclaim salvation, bringing the dead to life and breaking the chains of sin.
In Your Hearing: Luke 4:16-30 | The Messiah We Want vs. The Messiah We Need
Why did Jesus' own people reject Him? In Luke 4, Jesus returns to His hometown of Nazareth and proclaims the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. At first, the crowd marvels at His words—until He challenges their assumptions about God’s grace. When Jesus declares that salvation extends beyond Israel to the Gentiles, their admiration turns to fury.
This passage forces us to examine our own hearts. Do we accept God’s Word even when it challenges us? Do we trust in His sovereign grace, even when it reaches those we might least expect? Jesus’ message is clear—the gospel is for all people. But will we hear and believe, or will we resist like the people of Nazareth?
Him Only: Luke 4:1-15 | Victory in the Wilderness, Hope for Us
Have you ever felt the weight of temptation pressing in? In Luke 4, we witness the moment when Jesus, led by the Spirit, faces the full force of the enemy’s temptations. Yet, where Adam failed and Israel fell short, Jesus stands firm. His victory in the wilderness isn’t just a personal triumph—it’s our hope, our assurance, and the foundation of our salvation.