JESUS HAS AUTHORITY TO FORGIVE SINS

Text: Luke 5:12-26 

Jesus' authority to forgive sin gives credence to the fact that He is God himself. The Jews themselves attested to this in verse 21: "only God can forgive sins". So, of what importance is this knowledge to us? It should gladden our hearts to know that Jesus has power over every works of darkness. The same way he has power over the demons, sicknesses and diseases, so he has power to unmake sins by forgiving and cleansing them. 

Sin is the architect of man's problems. Sin came into the world bringing with it a whole baggage of evil consequences. The inability to remain in the pure image of God and walk in the dominion he accorded man long ago in the garden unleashed an onslaught of degredation and reduction in value of man. Only Jesus the God made man has the ability to counter the works of Satan by solving the problem of sin. 

Consequently,   the text shows that physical infirmities can be traced to our spiritual states. The paralytic man is paralyzed because of a spiritual condition. His physical ailments could never be cured unless his sin is first taken care of. What does this say to us? Sicknesses and diseases are part of the fallen kingdom that we live in. Hence, as citizens of the kingdom of God we should know that sickness is not a 'normal' for us. Hence, we should always address it's spiritual root first by praying over it whenever it occurs and confessing our sins even before we seek medical care.

 Jesus' healing power is always readily available to all who are willing to go all out to ask, seek, and knock. Finally, Jesus' response to the nay sayers is still valid today. "Which is easier to say", he asked them: "your sins are forgiven or get up and walk?" Well Jesus has power to do both and more. There is no sin too great that his blood cannot wash away. Similarly,  there is no sickness too serious that he cannot heal. All powers and authority in heaven, on earth and beneath is given to him. He has the authority over everything to deliver, to heal and to save those who trust in him.

What are you trusting him for today? He has assured us that where two or three are gathered in his name, he is there in the midst of them. Jesus is God over all and He is able to do all things. As you fellowship with your own Christian community today remember that there is a collective blessing and anointing released for all who have obeyed and come. May God grant your heart desires which you have entrusted into his hands today in Jesus name. Amen.