Today’s reading: Luke 5:1-6:45
My selection: Luke 5:20
20 And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.”
My reflections: Jesus assumed authority to forgive sins. The scribes and the Pharisees rightly perceived that this was a claim to divinity. Jesus was either God or He had blasphemed shamelessly. Other prophets had healed the sick, raised the dead, and suspended natural laws, but none had ever even claimed authority to forgive sins. The religious leaders of the Jews did not miss the significance of this claim.
Since forgiveness of sin is not visibly demonstrable, Jesus proved His authority by healing the man. The results were that
“…amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen extraordinary things today.” (vs. 26).
My challenge: If you trust in Jesus for the forgiveness of sin, should you not be continually filled with praise to Him for that blessing? Should you not be amazed and filled with awe that God has come to us and brought hope and salvation from the wrath we justly deserve? May we never lose that sense of amazement and awe!
Tomorrow’s reading: Luke 6:46-8:25
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