JESUS CHRIST: GOD-MAN - Vital Christianity

The psalmist points out:
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"For with You is forgiveness that You should be feared" (Ps 130:4).
Yet in the New Testament we find Jesus claiming this authority and power to forgive sins
for Himself. But has not God Himself commanded us to forgive one another? Yes, but only for
sins against ourselves. While we should forgive someone who has insulted us, for instance,
suppose we forgave him for insulting someone else? That would be outrageous! Why? Because
of what it would be assuming. Whoever forgives assumes he has the right to forgive. And the
only one who has a right to forgive an offender, is the one offended. Jesus' claim to forgive all
sins, therefore, assumed that He was the one offended in all sins. Such a momentous claim can
only be made by God who is the author of the moral law.
When Jesus claimed to forgive all sins, is it any wonder that it resulted in a charge of
blasphemy against Him?
When the paralytic was lowered through the roof by his four friends, Jesus did not
respond with a comment about the man's physical condition or his need of healing. Rather, His
initial comment was, "My son, your sins are forgiven" (Mk 2:5). The reaction of the scribes
indicates the meaning they attached to His words:
"Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins
but God alone?" (v. 7).
Their reaction shows that they interpreted Jesus' comment as the exercise of a divine
prerogative, the power to actually forgive sins.
Here was an excellent opportunity for Jesus to clarify the situation, to correct the scribes
if they had misunderstood the import of His words. This He did not do, however. His response
is highly instructive:
"Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your
sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? But that you may
know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" (Mk 2:8-9).
The obvious answer is that it is easier to say: "Get up, take your mat and walk."
Why?
Because only God can forgive sins!
Then Peter proclaims Christ as the One whom