March 22

Who can forgive sins but God alone?

And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? ~ Luke 5:21

Only God has the authority to forgive sins. No angel in heaven nor any human being on earth—regardless of their righteousness or spiritual calling—possesses such power. Even if Jesus were only a virtuous man or a mighty prophet, he would not have the authority to forgive sins. Yet Scripture and the witness of his life reveal far more: Jesus is truly God. He demonstrated divine authority not only by declaring sins forgiven but also by displaying his power to heal and by perceiving the thoughts of those around him—something no mere mortal can do. His healing of the paralyzed man was not just a display of compassion but a visible sign confirming his divine right to pardon sin.

Forgiveness belongs to God alone, and since Jesus forgives, it is evident that the fullness of God dwells in him. Those who affirm that only God can forgive sins are correct in their doctrine, yet they go astray when they deny Christ’s divinity and accuse him of blasphemy. In doing so, they fail to perceive that God was working in and through Christ from the very beginning. They overlook the reality that Jesus is the true Light, and that his miracles were not tricks or illusions, but the unmistakable works of God. When people reject the Redeemer—the crucified and risen Son of God—they do more than misunderstand him; they diminish the glory and power of God himself. To grasp the truth of forgiveness, one must recognize the divine nature of Christ. He is not a created being acting on God’s behalf—he is God incarnate, full of grace and truth, who alone can remove the guilt of sin and reconcile us to the Father.

Read / Listen

Numbers 33:40-35:34
Luke 5:12-28
Psalm 65:1-13
Proverbs 11:23

New Testament

Luke 5:12-28

Summary
Jesus Cleanses a Leper
Jesus Heals a Paralytic
Jesus Calls Levi

Jesus Cleanses a Leper

While He was in one of the cities, behold, there was a man covered with leprosy; and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” And He stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” And immediately the leprosy left him. And He ordered him to tell no one, “But go and show yourself to the priest and make an offering for your cleansing, just as Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” But the news about Him was spreading even farther, and large crowds were gathering to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray. ~ Luke 5:12-16

But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray. ~ Luke 5:16

A private relationship with God was necessary to keep His divine mind from being polluted by the sinfulness of the world. Jesus had a human body and He lived in the world just like we do. So how much more should we retreat to a private place in prayer so we can have a private relationship with God?

The Bible Series – Jesus and the Leper Video

Jesus Heals a Paralytic

But not finding any way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down through the tiles with his stretcher, into the middle of the crowd, in front of Jesus. ~ Luke 5:19

And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” When Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, “Why do you question in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.” And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God. ~ Luke 5:20-25

Christ ignored the paralysis and addressed the man’s greater need first. In doing so, He asserted a prerogative that was God’s alone. His subsequent healing of the man’s paralysis was proof that He had the authority to forgive sins as well. ~ John MacArthur