The Ultimate Authority.

But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Get up, pick up your bed and go home.” (Matthew 9:6 NASB)

The entire time that Jesus was here on earth He was constantly in conflict with those who considered themselves to be the authorities. The religious leaders of that day believed they were the supreme authority in matters relating to God. The majority of the people could not read or write so what they knew and understood about God was what the teachers of the law told them. It is obvious to us today as we read the Scriptures that many of the things the teachers told the people were their own opinions of what the Word actually stated. Jesus confronted them saying “You teach for doctrine the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:8)

When Jesus told the paralyzed man that day that his sins were forgiven the teachers were infuriated. No human had the right to forgive the sins of another human. They were right in that sense. What they were wrong about is that Jesus was not just human; He is also God. Therefore He healed the physical problem that the people and the leaders may know that He had the power to heal the spiritual ailment as well. They witnessed a paralytic walk at His word.

God did not come to earth just to heal our physical diseases and free folk from demonic possession. He came to heal the incurable disease of sin which results in eternal death. Jesus is the ultimate authority on forgiveness. With His own blood He purchased our redemption. This redemption is available to us now, while we are on this earth. We do not wait until we die in order to be forgiven. Jesus told Martha the sister of Lazarus, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). That is why God came to this earth to begin with so that we can leave this earth apart from sin by being forgiven of it. There is no forgiveness of sin after death. The Bible is clear in telling us that (John 8:23).

If you have never asked God to forgive you for your sins now would be a good time. Believe in Christ, open your heart up to Him and invite Him in. Just as He healed the paralytic that day He will forgive you this day. The preacher cannot forgive your sins; a priest has no authority to do it; only Jesus can, and will.