1.8.23 Jesus Calling...Jesus Responding

January 08, 2023

Jay Vanderbur

It is tempting to turn Jesus into a one-dimensional figure. If your emphasis is on morality and doing the right thing, then the power and holiness of Jesus is really appealing. If your focus is on compassion and mercy, then you are probably compelled by the mercy and forgiveness of Jesus. Luke is sure that we have much more than a one-dimensional portrait of Jesus! Luke 5 helps us to see the power and holiness of Jesus that scares Peter, the compassion of Jesus that heals a leper with a touch, and the forgiveness of Jesus that heals a paralytic man. Luke also shows us and challenges us with how we ought to respond to Jesus. Jesus is powerful and holy yes, but that doesn’t mean sinners can’t come to him... us sinners... we are the very people He came for... “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 5:31b-32