#DailyDevotions Jesus Has & Gives Authority To Forgives Sins

Matt. 9:3-8 ³Then some of the Bible scholars said to themselves, “He’s blaspheming.” ⁴Jesus knew what they were thinking. “Why do you think evil in your hearts?” He asked them. ⁵ “Is it easier to say, Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk?’ ⁶I want you to know the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins.” Then He said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your bed, and go home.” ⁷He got up and went home. ⁸When the crowd saw this, they were amazed, and they praised God for giving such authority to men.

Jesus had told a man his sins were forgiven him. Only God can forgive sins. Because of this the Bible scholars (Scribes) thought Jesus was blaspheming (acting as if he were God). Jesus, being God, knew what they were thinking. It wasn’t unreasonable to think this way, if you thought Jesus was just an ordinary man. David, who had committed adultery and murder, says in Psalm 51, “⁴I sinned against You, against You only, and did what is wrong in Your sight.” Yet, the Scribes, despite seeing the miracles Jesus has done and heard his teaching didn’t believe who he was.

So Jesus sets up the argument before them. What is easier, to tell someone they are forgiven or tell a paralytic to get up and walk? Anyone could say someone’s sins are forgiven them. We don’t see anything if we do that. There is no evidence it has happened. If you tell a paralytic to get up and walk and they are still stuck, bed-ridden, well you obviously don’t have the authority or power to do or say either one.

Jesus wants them to know the Son of Man has the power on earth to forgive sins. Who is this Son of Man. It is a title Jesus refers to as himself often in the Gospels. It comes from Daniel 7, ¹³“In the visions during the night I saw One coming with the clouds of the heavens like the Son of Man, and He came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him. ¹⁴ And He was given glory, power to rule, and a kingdom, so that all peoples, nations, and those of every language should serve Him. His authority is everlasting and will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will not be destroyed.” That his kingdom would not be destroyed is what the LORD promised to prophesied Davidic heir. This Son of Man is the promised Messiah.

Well, Jesus tells the man to get up, take his mat and go home. The guy does just that. The people are amazed God had given such authority to man. If the guy walks Jesus has authority to forgive his sins. The Good News keeps getting better. The authority Jesus has to forgive sins he gives to those he sends in his name, who we call pastors. Jesus says in John 20, ²¹“Peace to you!” Jesus said to them again. “As the Father sent Me, so I send you.” ²²When He had said this, He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. ²³Whenever you forgive people’s sins, they are forgiven; whenever you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” So when the pastor tells you your sins are forgiven you he is not doing it by his own authority but in the stead and by the command of Jesus. It is just as sure and certain as if Jesus himself told you himself.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for giving to men through your Son Jesus Christ the authority to forgive sins and free men from the bondage of the fear of death. Give us ears that hear the words of forgiveness and believe them. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen