Luke 5

Jesus is involved in teaching. Notice that he uses the boat of Simon (Peter,) who seems uninvolved, to get a better teaching position. Jesus then gives Peter a little one-on-one by showing Peter that there is more (in this case fish) to life than he thinks. This was enough to make some of the fisherman follow Jesus. Notice, too, how many times in Luke, Jesus (or and angel) tells people to not be afraid. Fear is a natural response to an encounter with the Holy.

 

Jesus' mission is more healing but notice he gets away to pray. No prayer, no power.

People's faith (trust) in him unleashes the healing power. Jesus liberates people by forgiving sins. This disturbs religious people who think Jesus is being disrespectful of God who alone can forgive sins. As far as anyone knows, Jesus is just a great person but not God.

 

Jesus calls Levi, a tax collector, a rotten person of Jesus' day because tax collectors bilk their own people of extra money. Religious people point out that Jesus should have no dealings with tax collectors who are considered unclean people. Jesus says unclean people are exactly who need him. Perfect people (there are none) don't need him. Often religious people think they are perfect.

 

Fating is a custom many people were practicing. Jesus' followers where not. Religious people notice. Jesus tells stories about doing a new thing, which he is.