Read: Luke 5:17-26
Key Text: When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friends, your sins are forgiven.” (Luke 5:20)
Reflection: The sacrificial system of making payment for people’s sins was deeply ingrained in 1st century Jewish culture. It was at the centre of religious, political and economic life. Jerusalem was a city of pilgrimage where tens of thousands of observant Jews would travel for the various feasts, the centre of which was the blood offerings made in the temple. Forgiveness was God’s alone to offer, mediated by his priests. Little wonder then, the religious leaders were scandalized by the unsolicited offer of forgiveness Jesus makes to the men who bring their friend to Jesus for healing. The leaders are on firm scriptural ground; ‘I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.’ (Isaiah 43:25)
For the religious leaders, the blasphemy of Jesus was that he was effectively claiming the power that was God’s forgiveness mandate. After being challenged, Jesus reinforces his power to forgive by healing the paralyzed man (vv.22-24). Jesus is demonstrating his divine power to heal and forgive. Jesus is the means of our forgiveness; his sacrificial death has paid the price for our sins – he is the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Jesus is the mediator of our forgiveness; he is the great and perfect High Priest, both the spotless lamb who is sacrificed for our sins, and the one making the sacrifice on our behalf (Hebrews 10:1-18).
Crucified between two criminals, Jesus looked on those gathered at his feet as he gasped for each breath. He said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) With these words and with his willing embrace of the cross, Jesus demonstrated his power to forgive. These words are not just for the crucifixion crowd. They are for us. The Apostle John says this, ‘If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.’ (1 John 2:8). All of us, without exception, need forgiveness. Here is where the Good News kicks in, for ‘If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.’ (1 John 2:9) Thanks be to God!
Question: Where do you need to experience the liberation of God’s forgiving grace in your life? Confess your sin and receive the assurance of restoration (1 John 1:9).
Watch: Mark Driscoll share on the necessity and power of forgiving others: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiG1E7RDtOM
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