And Jesus answered and said to them, “It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick. Luke 5:31

The religious leaders couldn’t understand it, why would Jesus associate with sinners? Why would Jesus even acknowledge their existence? It was custom practice to banish anyone who was “unclean”, those people considered “unclean” had no rights, they were not even allowed to own property, let alone sit at the table with The Lord

“I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:32

Jesus said he didn’t come for the “righteous” he came to save the unclean sinners! So who is the righteous and who is the sinner? Well Jesus said “Nobody is good but God alone” (Luke 18:19) So why do these men believe they are righteous? Do they believe they don’t need a Savior?

This is the biggest issue with most people, they believe they are more righteous than they truly are. The Bible tells us “We have ALL fallen short of the Glory of God and are Sinners” (Romans 3:23) When you understand this, you understand that you need a Savior and Jesus came here for You!

Another thing to note is Jesus said he came to call Sinners (US) to Repentance! To repent means to change your mind or turn away from your old ways. When you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior , hes going to change you!

And He was also telling them a parable: “No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and puts it on an old garment; otherwise he will both tear the new, and the piece from the new will not match the old. Luke 5:36

Jesus went on to teach them about the parable of the new wine skin. Meaning when you come to Christ and become Born Again, your not going to be Old Wine going into a New Wine Skin. Your going to become “New Wine” (Born Again) in a New Wine Skin (Resurrected Body)

Seeing their faith, He said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven you.” Luke 5:20

People who deny the deity of Christ, would say he never said he was God. However what did Jesus do and say here? Jesus saw the faith of this man and forgave him of his sins, who has the authority to do this? Could Moses ever forgive your sin? Could Abraham ever forgive your sin? Could Paul ever forgive your sin? No of course not, these are just mortal men, Jesus is more than a prophet or a great teacher, he is God in the Flesh (John 1:14)

The scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?” Luke 5:21

The Religious leaders understood this, they knew only God alone can forgive our sin. This is why they wanted to charge Jesus with blasphemy, this is why they wanted to crucify him. Because Jesus is demonstrating and declaring he is God in the flesh!

But Jesus, aware of their reasonings, answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts? “Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins have been forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk ‘? Luke 5:22-23

Jesus could also read the hearts and minds of these religious leaders and knew exactly what they were thinking. Instead of them listening to the Holy Spirit about who Jesus is, they listened to their own human intellect which is limited and blinded by human pride

“But, so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,”– He said to the paralytic– “I say to you, get up, and pick up your stretcher and go home.” Luke 5:24

The Son of Man (Messiah) which was prophesied by Daniel is Jesus who all power and authority has been given to him in Heaven and on Earth (Matthew 28:18) Jesus has declared and demonstrated that He is the Living God in the Flesh!

“I, even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake, And I will not remember your sins. Isaiah 43:25

The Prophet Isaiah made it clear by the Holy Spirit, that God alone forgives Sin, nobody else! The fact that Jesus can forgive Sin makes it very clear he is God in the Flesh!

and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men.” Luke 5:10

Imagine if Jesus came up to you and said “Quit your job and start preaching the gospel” this is exactly what happened to Peter, James, and John. When we read this story, I don’t think we consider the magnitude of their decision. These guys were not just fishing for fun, these guys were professional fisherman. This was their career, this is how they supported their families, this is what they have probably been doing most of their lives.

Now their going to leave it all behind to serve the Master Jesus Christ, would you do the same? Are you willing to walk away from your career? Are you willing to have faith in Christ and step out into the unknown? The disciple’s devotion to Jesus was a lot more intense than I think we give them credit for.

Notice Jesus says “For Now On You will Be catching Men”, when Jesus asked them to leave their old lives behind he was expecting them to be drifters, they had work to do! They had a mission, to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to as many people as possible!

When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him. Luke 5:11

Notice their response, they left everything and followed Jesus! How will we or did we respond to Jesus call? Are we willing to leave the temporary things of this world behind to follow Christ? What is your mission focus while here on Earth? Is Jesus calling you today? Are you willing to answer the call?