Luke 5 - 6

Followers and Critics

Note: This is Tuesday's reading and commentary.

In today's reading we see the reaction of those who Jesus calls to follow Him in comparison to those who followed Jesus around calling to Him to criticize.  The differences are diametrically opposed. Jesus wanted followers and He called to them and they followed Him.  However, along with those who followed Him with their heart, there were those who followed Him to criticize - the Pharisee and teachers.

Chapter 5 begins with Jesus preaching while standing in Simon Peter's boat.  Because Simon was kind and allowed Jesus to preach, the Lord instructed Simon to launch out into deep waters and let down his nets. In spite of his bad day of fishing, Simon obeys and catches a great multitude of fish - so great two boats were required to handle the catch.  Peter, realizing the presence of God, bows before Jesus and exclaims "O Lord, please leave me - I'm too much of a sinner to be around you." (v. 8).  Jesus calls him and his brother and James and John to be disciples (v. 10). In verse 11 they leave everything and immediately follow Jesus.

Compare this to the Pharisees and teachers in verse 17, following, watching, hoping to catch Jesus doing something wrong.  During a meeting Jesus tells a man his sins are forgiven (v. 20) for which the Pharisees and teachers accuse Jesus of blasphemy.  In verse 27, Jesus calls Levi (a hated tax collector) to follow him. He leaves everything and follows Jesus (v. 28). While Levi is holding a dinner for Jesus and the disciples, the Pharisees and teachers are nearby questioning, "Why do you eat and drink with such scum?" (v.30).

In chapter 6, verse 1, Jesus and his disciples pick grain on the Sabbath day and eat it. Of course, the Pharisees and teachers are there condemning their actions.  The next Sabbath, Jesus is teaching in the synagogue and a man is there with a deformed hand. The Bible states, "The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees watched Jesus closely. If he healed the man's hand, they planned to accuse him of working on the Sabbath." (v.7).  Incredible! Their hatred for Jesus and their obsession with their understanding of the Law left no room for mercy.  After Jesus heals the man's hand, the religious leaders are enraged.  Verse 11 states, "At this, the enemies of Jesus were wild with rage and began to discuss what to do with him."

The lesson for us, as Christians, is that we are not to expect everyone to agree with our stand for Christ. Every action we take, every song we sing in praise of Him, any donations of money, or shunning of sin will be misinterpreted by those critical of the Christian faith.  Our attitude has to match the attitude of the disciples - we drop everything and follow Him.  Additionally our actions need to be like those of Jesus - in the face of obvious criticism and disagreement, He did not fail to act and do what His Father bid Him to do.

May God bless you and bless the reading of His Word.