Read Luke 5:12-16

JESUS HEALS A MAN WITH LEPROSY
Leprosy was a feared disease because there was no known cure for it, and some forms of it was highly contagious. Leprosy had a similar emotional impact and terror associated with it as AIDS does today.
Called Hanson’s disease today, leprosy still exists in parts of the world in a less contagious form that can be treated.
The priests monitored the disease, banishing lepers who were in a contagious stage to prevent the spread of infection and readmitting lepers whose disease was in remission. Because leprosy destroys nerve endings, lepers would unknowingly damage their fingers, toes, and noses, which would become infected and rot.
This man with leprosy had an advanced case, so he undoubtedly had lost some bodily tissue. Still, he believed that Jesus could heal him of every trace of the disease.
Lepers were considered untouchable because people feared contracting their disease. Yet Jesus reached out and touched the leper to heal him. You may consider certain people who are diseased or disabled to be untouchable or repulsive. You must not be afraid to reach out and touch them with God’s love. Who do you know who needs a touch of God’s love?
People were flocking to hear Jesus preach and to have their diseases healed, but Jesus made sure He often withdrew to quiet, solitary places to pray. Many things clamor for your attention, and you often run yourselve ragged attending to them. Like Jesus, you should take time to withdraw to a quiet and deserted place to pray. Strength comes from God, and you can only be strengthened by spending time with Him.

Read Luke 5:1-11

THE FIRST DISCIPLES
Fishermen on the Sea of Galilee used nets, often bell-shaped nets with lead weights around the bottom edges. A net would be thrown flat onto the water, and the lead weights would cause it to sink around the fish. Then the fishermen would pull on a cord, drawing the net around the fish. Nets had to be kept in good condition, so they were washed to remove weeds and debris and then mended.
Simon Peter was awestruck by this miracle, and his first response was to feel his insignificance in comparison to this man’s greatness. Peter knew that Jesus had healed the sick and driven out demons, but he was amazed that Jesus cared about his day-to-day routine and understood his needs. God is interested not only in saving us but also in helping us in our daily activities.
There are two requirements for coming to God. Like Peter, you must recognize your own sinfulness. Then you must realize you cannot save yourself and that you need help. If you knew that Jesus is the only one who can help you, you will be ready to leave everything and follow Him.

Read Luke 4:42 -44

JESUS PREACHES THROUGHOUT GALILEE
Jesus had to get up very early just to get some time alone. If Jesus needed solitude for prayer and refreshment, how much more true is this for us? Don’t become so busy that life turns into a flurry of activity leaving no room for quiet fellowship alone with God. No matter how much you have to do, you should always have time for prayer.
The Kingdom of God was Good News! It was Good News to the Jews because they had been awaiting the coming of the promised Messiah ever since the Babylonian captivity. It is Good News for us also because it means freedom from the slavery to sin and selfishness. The Kingdom of God is here and now because the Holy Spirit lives in the hearts of believers. Yet it is also in the future because Jesus will return to reign over a perfect Kingdom, where sin and evil no longer exist.

Read Luke 4:31 -37

JESUS CASTS OUT A DEMON
Jesus had recently moved to Capernaum from Nazareth. Capernaum was a thriving city with great wealth as well as great decadence. Because it was the headquarters for many Roman troops, word about Jesus could spread all over the Roman Empire.
Why was Jesus allowed to teach in the synagogue? Jesus was taking advantage of the policy of allowing visitors to teach. Itinerant rabbis were always welcome to speak to those gathered each Sabbath in the synagogues.
A man possessed by a demon was in the synagogue where Jesus was teaching. This man made his way into the place of worship and verbally abused Jesus. It is naive to think that you will be sheltered from evil in the church. Satan is happy to invade your presence wherever and whenever he can. But Jesus’ authority is much greater than Satan’s; and where Jesus is present, demons cannot stay for long.
Evil permeates our world, and it is no wonder that people are often fearful. But Jesus’ power is far greater than Satan’s. The first step toward conquering fear of evil is to recognize Jesus’ authority and power. He has overcome all evil, including Satan himself.
The people were amazed that Jesus’ authority to drive out demons – evil spirits ruled by Satan and sent to harass people, and to tempt them to sin. Demons are fallen angels who have joined Satan in rebellion against God. Demons can posses people causing them to be blind, mute, deaf, or insane. Does this mean every person that is blind, mute, or deaf demon possessed? Absolutely not! A great example of that is found in John chapter 9, where Jesus told His disciples that a man born blind was so that the “works of God should be made manifest in him.” Demons can possess anybody that leave themselves open to occult and sinful practices. Can a demon posses a Christian? If one is truly a Christian, and has invited Christ into their life, and has the Holy Spirit within them, no a demon cannot posses them. But, a demon can certainly oppress a Christian given a chance.
Jesus faced demons many times during His time on earth, and He always exerted authority over them. Not only did the evil spirit leave this man, the man was not even injured.

Read Luke 4:14 – 30

JESUS IS REJECTED AT NAZARETH
Synagogues were very important in Jewish religious life. During the Exile when the Jews no longer had their Temple, synagogues were established as places of worship on the Sabbath and as schools for young boys during the week. Synagogues continued to exist even after the Temple was rebuilt. A synagogue could be set up in any town where there were at least 10 Jewish families. It was administered by one leader and an assistant. At the synagogue, the leader could often invite a visiting Rabbi to read from the Scriptures and teach.
Jesus went to the Synagogue as usual. Even though He was the perfect Son of God and his local synagogue undoubtedly left much to be desired, Jesus attended services each week. His example makes our excuses for not attending church sound very weak and self serving. Make regular worship a part of your life.
Jesus, Himself, was not accepted as a prophet in His hometown. Many people have a similar attitude – an expert is anyone who carries a briefcase and comes from more than 200 miles away. Don’t be surprised when your Christian life and faith are not easily understood or accepted by those who know you well.
Jesus’ remarks angered the people of Nazareth because He was saying that God sometimes chose to reach Gentiles rather than Jews. Jesus implied that His hearers were as unbelieving as the citizens of the Northern Kingdom of Israel in the days of Elijah and Elisha, a time notorious for its great wickedness.