Who Can Forgive?

And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”
Mark 2:1–12
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Who Can Forgive?
Only God has the authority to forgive sins. He requires blood. Sin costs something. The writer of the Hebrews says, “There can be no forgiveness of sins apart from the shedding of blood.” We don’t expect something spectacular from a man, but this is no ordinary man. This is the God-man, Jesus Christ. He pays for the sins of the world with his own blood. He lays down as the payment for you and for me. This is the reason he comes. The miracles were earthly conviences. The Forgiveness of his Cross is forever. The resurrection is forever. The gifts of his suffering and death are everlasting. Jesus can forgive sins. He has forgiven your sins. He makes you new. Thanks be to God!