Luke 5:27-39
Q.1. How did Matthew Levi express his change of heart? Is this a normal way to act? – (Lk.5:27-29)
Matthew Levi was rich but miserable. He taxed his own people and was despised. However, when Jesus asked him to follow – he left everything behind … and began to follow Him (Lk.5:28). He was so relieved and happy, that he gave a large reception in his house. This included his friends – a great crowd of tax collectors and others who were reclining at the table with them (Lk.4:29). Most people find that when their lives are significantly changed, they want to share it with others – especially their friends.
Q.2. How did Jesus respond to the criticism of the Scribes and Pharisees? Why did He come to earth? – (Lk.5:30-32)
The religion of the Pharisees and Scribes had a very different focus from the one that Jesus had. They saw themselves as superior to the tax collectors and lawbreakers and could not countenance Jesus’ mingling with such people (Lk.5:30). Jesus told them – … It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance (Lk.5:31-32). Jesus certainly was not conveying that these Pharisees were righteous … but rather that they considered themselves so, and thus treated others with contempt (c.f. Lk.18:9). If we receive the Saviour, this presupposes that we have concluded that we needed saving. Jesus can only bring healing and forgiveness to those who humbly seek these from Him. He will not break down the door of our hearts (c.f. Rev.3:20).
Q.3. Did Jesus agree with fasting? How did He view the discipline of fasting? – (Lk.5:33-35)
Jesus brought joy and liberty. The lifestyle of Jesus and His disciples was very different from that of John the Baptiser and his disciples, and also those who lived under the restrictions demanded by the Pharisees. Hence the question about fasting (Lk.5:33). Jesus did not oppose fasting. However, He taught that it was not to be done for show (c.f. Mt.6:16-18). Fasting was not required while God incarnate dwelt amongst men. He was the Heavenly Bridegroom and this was time for celebration, not fasting (Lk.5:34 c.f. Jn.3:17). That was going to change when Jesus would be taken away. Jesus predicted – the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away … then you will fast in those days (Lk.5:35).Â
Q.4. What truth was Jesus highlighting in His parables about old and new garments, and the wineskins? – (Lk.5:36-39)
It is foolish to mix old and new, since both the old and the new will be spoiled (Lk.5:36). The old was appropriate for its time, but now the new that cannot be contained by the old, has come – No one puts new wine into old wineskins; Otherwise the new wine will burst the wineskins and will be spilled out, and the skins will be ruined. But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins (Lk.5:37-38). In this sense the true religion of Jesus was radical and new. The Scribes and Pharisees needed to set aside the obsolete, for that which had superseded it (c.f. Heb.8:7-13).