The Son of Man, Jesus, Has Authority to Forgive Sins Like God?

Luke 5:21
The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? WHO CAN FORGIVE SINS BUT GOD ALONE?”

Luke 5:20
When JESUS saw their faith, he SAID, “Friend, YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN.”

Luke 5:24
But I want you to know that the SON OF MAN HAS AUTHORITY on earth TO FORGIVE SINS.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.”

There is no doubt that Jesus is a great historical figure. A lot has been written and said about Jesus. Others view Him as any other prophet. Others view Jesus as the Saviour of the world. Others view Jesus as a Creature who was first created by God before others. While others believe that Jesus is God who came in human form in order to save us!

The study of Jesus in the field of theology is known as Christology. There are many questions about Jesus, the key among them is whether Jesus was divine or human, or both. There are those who argue that Jesus was never divine. Others argue that Jesus was a special celestial being but not divine. Others see Him as just human. While many more believe that Jesus was both divine and human.

The passage we are studying today is one of the many pieces of evidence in scripture which strongly suggest that Jesus was divine. Jesus was one hundred percent human and one hundred percent God. Other passages include John 10:30 where Jesus declares that He is one with God the Father and John 17:5 where Jesus prays saying He existed sharing the glory with God the Father prior to His birth in Bethlehem.

In our passage today a paralyzed man is brought to Jesus through the roof. Jesus immediately tells the man that his sins are forgiven. Luke 5:21, the Pharisees and other experts of God’s word are in shock. They ask why Jesus forgives sins, yet that was only a preserve of God Himself. Who can forgive sins but God? Only God can forgive sins. If Jesus forgave sins, then He is God!

In Luke 5:24 Jesus confirms that He has the authority to forgive sins. Jesus confirms that He has authority that is a preserve of God alone. It is true only God can forgive sins. It is also true that Jesus forgave sins and told His detractors that He has the authority to forgive sins. Jesus did what only God can do, and that is to forgive sins. Therefore, Jesus is one hundred percent God, who came in one hundred percent human body.

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Jesus is willing and ready to forgive your sins today. Just confess them in prayer to God and God alone and He will forgive you and bless you. May God forgive and forget all our sins today and give us a great day and bright future, in Jesus’ name, Amen!

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