Luke Chapters 5 & 6

A fishing trip, an organization chart, a couple of healings, a new hire and opinions about fasting.

What do they have in common?  They're all covered in Luke Chapter 5.

I think the thing that speaks most to me in Chapter 5, is the way Jesus doesn't just accept things the way they are - just because they have been done that way  f-o-r-e-v-e-r.  Who says I can't hang out with fishermen? Why shouldn't I heal people on the Sabbath?  Why can't I ask a tax collector to join the team?  And why oh why should I fast when there's a party going on?

I especially like the passage on fasting. Maybe it's my Russian-German background, maybe it's just because I enjoy a good meal.  But when Jesus talks about fasting - or not fasting in this case, it makes total sense to me.  When my family visits from Colorado, We... Eat... WELL.  Cinnamon rolls and casseroles for breakfast, late lunches/early dinners at our favorite restaurants, cookies, candies, chips, soda....  If I were to fast the entire time they were here, they'd think I was coo-coo for Cocca Puffs and take me to the emergency room.

Chapter 6 starts up with food - and the Sabbath - again! And surprise, surprise, surprise, the Pharisees are present once more.  Fast forward to another Sabbath, and Jesus is breaking the rules again by healing a shriveled right hand.  At this point the Pharisees are pretty angered by the whole thing and start plotting how to get rid of Jesus.

Elsewhere in the chapter:

(verses 12-16)
Jesus appoints his 12 apostles: Simon -Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (the Zealot), Judas (son of James) and Judas Iscariot (the traitor).

(verses 17 - 26)
We get to read about our blessings and woes

(verses 27 - 36)
How we should treat our enemies

(verses 37 - 42)
Judging others (be careful of the log in your eye while pointing out the splinter in your neighbor's eye)

(verses 43 - 45)
A Tree and its Fruit

(verses 46 - 49)
Building a house on solid rock rather than sand.