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Read: Luke 5-6

There is so much awesome stuff packed into these two short chapters. In Luke 5, Jesus called His first disciples. He was preaching to the people, and they were listening to the word of God.

One of my favorite moments was when Jesus told Simon Peter to put out into deep water and let down the nets for a catch. Simon had been fishing all night and had caught nothing. From a human/worldly perspective, it probably seemed pointless. But Simon obeyed anyway.

“But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” -Luke 5:5

And because of that obedience, they caught so many fish that their nets began to break. When Simon Peter saw what happened, he immediately recognized who Jesus was and how unworthy he felt in comparison.

“Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” -Luke 5:8

Jesus was not interested in pushing Peter away. He was calling him into something greater.

“Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” -Luke 5:10

Peter, James, and John left everything and followed Him.

Later, when Jesus called Levi, the same thing happened.

“Levi got up, left everything and followed him.” -Luke 5:28

That really stood out to me. These men were willing. They did not have all the answers. They did not know exactly what following Jesus would look like. They were simply willing to trust Him and go.

That same willingness was seen in the people who came to Jesus for healing. The man with leprosy came believing Jesus could heal him. The friends of the paralyzed man were so determined to get their friend to Jesus that they lowered him through a roof. They had faith, and Jesus responded:

“I am willing.” -Luke 5:13

Another thing that really stood out to me was how often Jesus prayed. Luke specifically pointed it out multiple times. Jesus withdrew to pray, and before choosing the twelve disciples, He spent the entire night praying to God. If Jesus, the Son of God, regularly spent time in prayer and sought His Father’s guidance, how much more do I need to be doing the same?

Then we see Jesus questioned over and over again, but He always had the perfect answer. When the religious leaders questioned why He ate with tax collectors and sinners, Jesus responded:

“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” -Luke 5:31–32

I love this because Jesus did not come for people who thought they had it all together. He came for people who knew they needed Him.

Then in chapter 6, Jesus appointed His twelve disciples: Simon Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot. Luke even pointed out that Judas Iscariot would later become a traitor; a little bit of foreshadowing.

The second half of chapter 6 is packed with Jesus’ teaching, and there are so many incredible reminders. Jesus repeatedly talked about blessings and encouraged His followers to focus on eternity.

“Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven.” -Luke 6:23

I love how often Scripture reminds us of heaven. Sometimes life feels heavy, unfair, or discouraging, and Jesus keeps pointing us back to the fact that there is something greater waiting for those who follow and love Him.

Then came one of the hardest teachings in the Bible:

“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” -Luke 6:27–28

Not tolerate your enemies. Not avoid your enemies. Love them. Wow!

Then Jesus continued:

“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” -Luke 6:31

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” -Luke 6:36

Those verses are simple to understand and difficult to live out. Then Jesus talked about judging others, and this is a section I come back to often.

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” -Luke 6:37

And then:

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” -Luke 6:41

I think this is such a good reminder both when I am tempted to judge someone else and when I feel judged myself. Before I focus on someone else’s flaws, I need to examine my own heart. And before I take someone’s criticism too seriously, I can remember that they are imperfect too. Jesus wasn’t saying sin doesn’t matter. He was saying we need humility before we start pointing fingers. Then He moved into the illustration of a tree and its fruit.

“For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” -Luke 6:45

It is easy to focus on our words, but Jesus points to the source. If ugly words, gossip, bitterness, or anger are constantly coming out, the bigger issue is what is happening in the heart.

Finally, Jesus ended with the wise and foolish builders. The person who builds on the Rock is the one who hears Jesus’ words and puts them into practice. When the storms come, the house stands firm. We can stand firm in the Lord. Peter obeyed when it did not make sense. Levi left everything and followed. The sick came to Jesus in faith. Jesus prayed constantly. The disciples learned to trust Him. And Jesus taught people how to live. The difference is not simply hearing God’s word. The difference is building our lives on it.

Discussion Questions

1. Is there an area of your life where Jesus is saying, “Because I say so,” and asking you to trust Him?
2. Which teaching in Luke 6 challenges you the most right now? Why?

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