Post #5 – As Reported From The Book Of Luke
BREAKING — Miracles and wondrous teaching abound as Jesus – the world’s Messiah, begins His own ministry blessing towns in Israel with God’s Word. Eyewitnesses have experienced the Son of God preaching at synagogues on the sabbath in Galilee and Capernaum. They were amazed at His teaching because His words had authority.
Jesus is approaching other towns because controversy erupted in His hometown of Nazareth when Jesus read the words of the prophet Isaiah 61:1-2 which were handed to Him. Locals were outraged when Jesus proclaimed He was The One to fulfill scripture and save Israel!
The on-site crowd became unruly and took Jesus to a cliff with intentions of tossing Him over. Jesus, of course, walked away without incident.
Son of God Proclaims Good News.
Unbiased bystanders in Capernaum exclaim they witnessed Jesus’ miraculous healing of a local fisherman’s (Peter) mother-in-law from fever. They also heard demons, which Jesus removed from various people, shout “You are Son of God!”
As the Son of God preached throughout the region of Galilee, He was over heard to state: “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” This direct quote indicates this new ministry will continue with the blessing of God.
Fishermen Leave Their Boats To Follow Jesus.
From the Lake of Gennesaret others have confirmed Jesus preaching. Also, yet another miracle was preformed that day. It was revealed Simon (known as Peter, whose mother-in-law was healed) and some partners were very unsuccessful at fishing. Jesus instructed them to “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”
Simon Peter and the fishermen obeyed. They caught so much fish their nets began to rip. Amid his astonishment and knowing all the other miracles Jesus preformed, Simon, who is now devoted, calls Jesus – “Lord”. It was overheard Simon also admitted his sinfulness to the Son of God. Then Simon Peter (and his brother Andrew), and James and John (brothers) left their boats and followed Jesus.
The Miracles Continue.
A man suffering with leprosy was seen with his face to the ground, begging Jesus, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus was then seen to reach out, touch the man and heal him. In regards to this miracle, Jesus then instructed the healed man to “..offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing,…”
Critics recognize Jesus being a Jew known to follow Old Testament Law, though not all the hundreds of other religious laws made by man. Those critics, specifically Pharisees and teachers of the law, are thought to consider Jesus’ behavior blasphemy after hearing Jesus forgive a paralyzed man for his sins.
Jesus called out the non-believers then instructed the invalid man to “get up, take your mat and go home.” – which he did!
Jesus Does The Unexpected – He Knows The Future.
Those same Pharisees and teachers of the law were heard to voice complaints over the fact that Jesus befriended Levi, a local tax collector and ate at Levi’s home. Jesus’ response was on point: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
Persistent to examine Jesus’ unusual actions, they questioned Jesus about why His disciples go on eating and drinking instead of fasting like they themselves do. True to His nature, Jesus (fully knowing His up and coming destiny), responded: “…But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; in those days they will fast.”
Lift Him Up 