real problem

Luke 5:17‑39

Introduction Question

As humans, what do you think is at the root of our problems? What do we need to resolve it and how hopeful do you feel about that?

Historical Context

Jesus was immediately controversial. Many were drawn to him by curiosity or hope but others were outraged by his teaching and behaviour. Some of the most vocal in their disapproval of Jesus were the Pharisees. They were a greatly respected group, who demanded very strict adherence to the laws in the Jewish Scriptures, as interpreted in minute detail by a longstanding tradition of ‘teachers of the law’. Their hope was that God would help those who kept themselves pure. As the most popular religious faction of the day, Jesus spent a lot of time engaging with them, and while some chose to follow Jesus both during and after his ministry (most famously, Paul the apostle), the majority met him with ever-increasing hostility.

Read Luke 5:17‑26

Consider what extreme lengths this paralysed man and his friends go to, what do you think they feel about the man’s situation and the potential of seeing Jesus?

Upon hearing Jesus’ initial response (v.20), what do you imagine the paralysed man and his friends would have been thinking?

Why are the Pharisees so outraged by what Jesus says (v.21)?

Jesus perceives their unspoken accusation, and responds with a perplexing question and undeniable demonstration. Why might saying “Your sins are forgiven” be the easier of the two? Why might it be harder?

Historical Context

Straight after this, we read of Jesus meeting a tax collector. At the time, Jewish tax collectors would have been seen as polar opposite to the Pharisees. The tax collectors were generally despised as traitors for taxing their fellow Jews on behalf of the Roman occupiers. They were also notorious for frequent corruption and greed. By becoming a tax collector, Levi would have turned his back on his community and religion in order to pursue wealth.

Read Luke 5:27‑39

What similarities are there between this incident and the story of the paralysed man?

In v.31-32, Jesus returns to the comparison between illness and sin first raised at v.20. In both of these, how has Jesus challenged people’s ideas about their biggest problems? And how has Jesus challenged people’s ideas about the solution?

How does Jesus surprise the Pharisees? How does Jesus surprise you?

In v.36-39, Jesus tells a parable to say that things, with him, are going to be entirely new. How do you think the Pharisees would respond to this compared to those who are regarded as sinners?

From what we’ve seen so far in Luke’s account, what do you think Luke wants his readers to see about Jesus?

Quote to Discuss

C.S. Lewis, an Oxford and Cambridge don, popular author, and former committed atheist, wrote:

Then comes the real shock. Among these Jews there suddenly turns up a man who goes about talking as if he was God. He claims to forgive sins. He says he has always existed. He says he is coming to judge the world at the end of time. Now let us get this clear. Among Pantheists… anyone might say that he was a part of God, or one with God: there would be nothing very odd about it. But this man, since He was a Jew, could not mean that kind of God. God, in their language, meant the Being outside the world, who had made it and was infinitely different from anything else. And when you have grasped that. you will see that what this man said was, quite simply, the most shocking thing that has ever been uttered by human lips. C.S. Lewis

What do you make of what C.S. Lewis wrote? What questions does it raise for you? What about Jesus does it leave you wanting to think more about, as we continue in Luke’s gospel?

Have more questions?

The quote from C.S. Lewis is in his book ‘Mere Christianity’ - initially broadcast as BBC radio talks during World War II. C.S. Lewis became a Christian in his 30s and in ‘Mere Christianity’ set out to explain and defend the Christian faith that he himself had become convinced of. You could read it to see whether you’re convinced by the same arguments. Or listen to this 10-minute recreation (with fun doodles) of his first radio talk.

The next study will start at Luke 6:20, so you could continue reading through Luke’s account ahead of that.

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