RPG Adults
WHO CAN FORGIVE SINS?
MONDAY, JANUARY 10
Mark 2:1-7
Matthew 11:12
“…Thy sins be forgiven thee…”
WHO CAN FORGIVE SINS?
As Christians we are told to forgive those who trespass against us. If that is the case, then why is it said here that it is only God who can forgive sins (Mark 2:7)? Yes, we can and ought to forgive those who have wronged us, but our forgiveness has no saving value; only God’s forgiveness can save us from sin and eternal damnation.
How can our sins be forgiven by God? They can be forgiven only if we approach God by faith. We find such a faith in the paralysed man here, which is seen in his zeal (Mark 2:4,5). Despite the crowdedness and the inconveniences, he persisted in getting to Jesus. Matthew Poole rightly observed that there must be “a great ardour and heat, in hearing and receiving the gospel, which is the gospel of the kingdom, [that] bringeth men into the kingdom of Christ... The hearts of men and women [must be] inflamed with a desire after the knowledge and obtaining of heaven, and heavenly things.” (See Matthew 11:12.)
Although this man came to Jesus for healing, Jesus did not say to him, “Rise up, be healed.” Instead, He said, “Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.” By addressing him as “Son,” Jesus made him a child of God. He was given salvation, which was infinitely better than physical healing.
The scribes were sceptical. They found fault with Jesus. They murmured within themselves that Jesus had blasphemed for “who can forgive sins but God only?” (Mark 2:7). Although they did not speak out loud, Jesus already knew what they were saying about Him in their minds and hearts. This shows the omniscience of Jesus—He is all-knowing. This is one proof that Jesus though fully man was also fully God. Jesus did not only prove His deity by His omniscience, He was going to prove His deity by His omnipotence—that He has the power as God has to forgive sins (Mark 2:8-12).
THOUGHT: Forgiveness is “the fragrance of a flower when it is trampled upon.”
PRAYER: (Are you doubting and questioning God? Pray for strong faith and for forgiveness.)