Moralistic, inspirational quotes abound. Some are oriented to the achievement of one’s goals. Such as: “The future depends on what you do today.” There are many others that relate to love. For example, “Love doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to be true,” or “How you love yourself is how you teach others to love you.” Maybe the most well known word art decorating countless American homes is “Live. Laugh. Love.” As we read along in our salvation story, Jesus continues his most famous sermon, the authoritative teaching that would shape this New Covenant people, the church. After having begun with blessings and curses he then speaks of the quintessential Christian virtue, love. However, the love that Jesus describes is of a different kind than that which typically gets printed on throw pillows or coffee mugs. Christian love is not some sage advice. Jesus commands his disciples to love their enemies. It is a call to action, an imperative that goes far beyond the boundaries of domestication. 

We define success in predictably human ways; wealth, winning, or by something even more subjective such as personal satisfaction. “I just want to be happy.” Whatever one’s definition might be, we all have an inner sense of what success looks like versus failure, so we naturally chase after it. However, as we continue reading in our salvation story, Jesus radically redefines success for his disciples. His words would come as a shock to any ordinary listener as it contradicts the predominant narrative. Having just spent time with his Heavenly Father up on the mountain, like Moses coming down from Sinai, Jesus transmits his authoritative teaching that will forever shape this New Covenant people. We’ll see that success in the Kingdom of God (to be blessed) is not measured by anything temporary at all, but is rather the eternal enjoyment of God’s presence and favor. 

As Americans we are blessed to live in a free country. Yet freedom has constraints. There are governing principles handed down to us by the Founding Fathers that provide the basis for our commonly shared life. In the Bible, covenants are arrangements that govern how God interacts with His people. The books of the Old Testament describe God’s dealings with His chosen people of Israel and include more than 600 commands prescribed by the Law of Moses. However, Jesus’ coming inaugurated a New Covenant which was then sealed in his blood, freeing us from both the condemnation and the requirements of that Old Covenant Law. However, freedom without restraints isn’t really freedom at all. As we continue reading in our salvation story Luke reveals the foundational governing principles for life under the New Covenant. This firm foundation provides the Christian with a solid footing to make decisions that conform to the will of God.

The Bible contains two distinct parts, the Old Testament and the New. What is the difference between them and why is it important? Perhaps you like to eat bacon or sport a goatee. Maybe you have a tattoo. You might be hospitable and planning a wonderful meal for family and friends on Sunday after church. These behaviors and many others were addressed by more than 600 Old Testament commands regulating the daily life of a Jew. But as we continue reading in our salvation story, we’ll learn that Jesus is the mediator of a new and better covenant. The Pharisees contested Jesus’ and his disciples’ non-traditional application of Old Testament law. So, Luke draws attention to Jesus’ authority as king. He is Lord of the Sabbath. Therefore, as Jesus’ disciples today, we are no longer subject to the law of Moses but rather the law of Christ. Under this new and better law, we are freed up (and empowered by His Spirit) to do good.

Ministry can be messy. The Pharisees were known to be of high moral character. They would have heartily agreed with the maxim, “Bad company corrupts good morals.” So Jesus’ association with the tax collector, Levi, and his unsavory friends offended their ethical sensibilities. Luke 5:27-32 contains the second of five episodes in the so called “Pharisee controversy,” which will end with them discussing how to get rid of Jesus. In telling the story of Levi’s calling and the Pharisees’ response, Luke shows how Jesus intentionally sought out sinners. He entered into the messiness of their lives, called them to repentance, and then involved them in his redemptive work. Jesus’ model for ministry shapes our own understanding and involvement in the messiness of the mission today.

Titles confer rights and privileges not afforded to any ordinary person. A police captain might flash his badge to gain entry to a crime scene or to access otherwise classified information. An MD can prescribe medications, including controlled substances. An honorable judge enters into the courtroom and everyone stands. Her decisions are binding and authoritative. Beginning in verse 17 of chapter 5 Luke describes growing skepticism and hostility amongst the religious elite towards Jesus, who asserts his authority to forgive sins. Indeed, this is something that only God can do. Therefore, Jesus reveals his preferred title for himself, Son of Man, to whom all dominion and authority have been given. By healing a paralytic Jesus proves that it is he to whom we all must come in faith. As the Son of Man he has rights and privileges not afforded to any ordinary person.

In biblical times, leprosy was a generic term for a variety of highly infectious skin diseases. For the health of the community, people afflicted with one of these skin diseases would be forced to live alone, outside of their town or village until they could prove that they were clean. In the Bible, leprosy was also a graphic illustration for the destructiveness of sin, causing shame and separation from both God and others. Luke chapter 5 contains the miraculous account of a leprous man made clean. As we continue reading in our salvation story, Luke describes the opposition that Jesus would encounter from religious elites. To silence their criticisms Jesus sends the cleansed man to them as proof, evidence of his authentic and authoritative word. Just like that leprous man, if we come to Jesus he can and he will cleanse us from our most shameful sin. Our transformed life is powerful proof of the truth of the gospel.

Simon lived in Capernaum with his wife and family. He and his brother Andrew owned a fishing business. They were partners with the sons of Zebedee, James and John. But one day Simon and his associates had a life changing encounter with Jesus. In obedience to Jesus’ command Simon hauled in his most successful catch ever. There were so many fish the nets were breaking and the boats were sinking. But on this, the most profitable day of his career, Simon left it all behind. He became one of Jesus’ disciples. As we continue on in our salvation story, Luke describes the calling of Jesus’ first disciples who personally respond to his authoritative teaching. They serve as a model for us all. Being a disciple is an invitation into a life of greater meaning and purpose that demands we stop chasing our own dreams and instead follow Jesus.

Authority. It’s something we all deal with on a daily basis. You may submit to the authority of your parents, teachers, law enforcement officers, building inspectors, or your boss at work. These are authorities that we commonly interact with and maybe even sometimes resist. But there are other authorities that have the power to govern or control our lives too, both in the physical and spiritual realms. As Jesus went about fulfilling his prophetic mission, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom in the village of Capernaum, he demonstrated the authority of his word over demons and disease. Jesus’ word is the ultimate authority over all things, including our own lives. As his disciples we don’t possess that authority. However, we submit to and share with others the authoritative word of he who does.

Ever since he was a boy, after he and his parents had returned from Egypt, Jesus frequented the synagogue in Nazareth. He would go there every Sabbath. Being from a small town everyone knew who Jesus was. He was the son of the carpenter. His mother was Mary. His brothers were James and Simon. The townspeople heard that he’d become a rabbi. There were even reports of him doing miracles up in the village of Capernaum. Now, he was back home and everyone listened attentively as he unrolled the text to teach for the very first time. Jesus emphatically declared that salvation had come and boldly identified himself as the Savior. But because of their familiarity the townspeople rejected Jesus, refusing to be transformed by his teaching. This is a solemn warning for anyone who has grown up in or around the church familiar with Jesus and his word. We might become inoculated to the message and miss out on our chance to change.