Luke 5:1-11

Before we read the text I want to take a moment to consider the setting. Jesus is in the early part of His ministry… He has been introduced, if you will, by John the Baptist… He has been baptized… He has defeated every one of Satan’s wily attempts to bring His ministry to a close before it ever got off the ground…   He has performed some miracles… He has begun to teach and the response to His teaching has been intense … so intense that some in His home town of Nazareth tried to kill Him by throwing Him over a cliff.  Others, however, welcomed Him… His teaching and His miracles were that balm in Gilead that cures the sin-sick soul.  Jesus has gained a huge following as evidenced by the multitudes gathered to hear him as we open up chapter 5 of Luke.