The Critics Gather: Luke 5:17
“17) One day He was teaching; and there were some Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem; and the power of the Lord was present for Him to perform healing.” Luke 5:17
As the crowds began to grow, so did the number of critics that followed Jesus. This verse is shocking. It says they came from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. The storm clouds were gathering.
So it is in the Christian life. The closer you follow Jesus and obey His Word, the more critics you will stir up. Some will come from family and former friends, but most will be religious people with different theological views.
Such was the case with Jesus. This verse mentions the number of Pharisees. Other texts include priests, Sadducees, scribes and lawyers. It was the religious leaders that led the charge in having Jesus crucified.
Actually, it is almost comical. It was the common people made up of transformed fishermen, publicans, sinners, tax gathers, former lepers and social outcasts that followed Jesus. These were the people that Jesus delivered, healed, fed or had huge needs that the religious elite could not help.
Notice, the verse says “the power of the Lord was present to heal.” According to 1 Corinthians 2:4-5, the power of God became the distinguishing characteristic of the early church and the spread of the gospel.
When you study the Greek word used for “power” in this verse through the New Testament, it becomes very sobering. Verses like Acts 1:8, Acts 6:8, 1 Corinthians 1:18, and 2 Timothy 2:7. These are but a few examples. There are many!
In Ephesians 1:16-23 and 3:14-21, Paul prayed that believers would understand and walk in this power. In fact, according to 1 Corinthians 4:18-21, the absence of this power is a characteristic of false workers.
Don’t settle for being religious. Most of the world are religious. You need a faith relationship with Jesus Christ, a biblical foundation of truth and the power of the Holy Spirit in your life. This is what separated the believers from the religious critics.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
“17) One day He was teaching; and there were some Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem; and the power of the Lord was present for Him to perform healing.” Luke 5:17
As the crowds began to grow, so did the number of critics that followed Jesus. This verse is shocking. It says they came from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. The storm clouds were gathering.
So it is in the Christian life. The closer you follow Jesus and obey His Word, the more critics you will stir up. Some will come from family and former friends, but most will be religious people with different theological views.
Such was the case with Jesus. This verse mentions the number of Pharisees. Other texts include priests, Sadducees, scribes and lawyers. It was the religious leaders that led the charge in having Jesus crucified.
Actually, it is almost comical. It was the common people made up of transformed fishermen, publicans, sinners, tax gathers, former lepers and social outcasts that followed Jesus. These were the people that Jesus delivered, healed, fed or had huge needs that the religious elite could not help.
Notice, the verse says “the power of the Lord was present to heal.” According to 1 Corinthians 2:4-5, the power of God became the distinguishing characteristic of the early church and the spread of the gospel.
When you study the Greek word used for “power” in this verse through the New Testament, it becomes very sobering. Verses like Acts 1:8, Acts 6:8, 1 Corinthians 1:18, and 2 Timothy 2:7. These are but a few examples. There are many!
In Ephesians 1:16-23 and 3:14-21, Paul prayed that believers would understand and walk in this power. In fact, according to 1 Corinthians 4:18-21, the absence of this power is a characteristic of false workers.
Don’t settle for being religious. Most of the world are religious. You need a faith relationship with Jesus Christ, a biblical foundation of truth and the power of the Holy Spirit in your life. This is what separated the believers from the religious critics.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
