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Authority To Forgive Sins Mark 2
Mark 2
Jesus is the Son of Man who has authority to forgive sins (2:10).
'Son of Man' is the phrase that Jesus most often used to refer to himself. Some have said that it was used to shows his humanity. However it is better to see it as one of the many evidences of Him being the promised Messiah. Daniel had spoken of the one who would come and would set up the kingdom of God as 'like unto the son of Man' (Dan. 7:13-14). It is this one who approaches unto the Father and is "given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him…" Yet it does tie together such power and authority with His humanity and suffering. Jesus will use this phrase often in speaking of His suffering and death (cp. 8:31; 9:12, 31; 10:33, 45; 14:21, 41).
We see Jesus claiming great authority, even such authority that would belong only to God. Jesus claimed the 'power or authority' to forgive sins. The Jewish people were correct to understand that only God has such right and authority. However, only God has the power to make a paralytic immediately and completely whole. If Jesus can do the one, it is evidence that He can do the other. He restored the complete health to the paralytic and thus we conclude He has the power to forgive sins. If such only pertains to God, then we draw the conclusion that Jesus was God.
Believing the above conclusions about Jesus, I am firmly convinced that He can forgive my sins. While upon earth He did tell people they were forgiven. He now speaks from heaven through the word of the Gospel saying: "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved" (Mark 16:16). It is HE that forgives and NOT baptism, BUT He has promised to do such for those who trust in Him enough to be baptized. Baptism apart from trusting Jesus is impotent. Trusting Jesus enough to be baptized changes everything. Hugh DeLong
