Who can forgive sins but God alone?

Lord Jesus, we confess that you are the Son of Man, having authority, glory and sovereign power. All peoples, nations and languages worship you. Your dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, your kingdom will never be destroyed. Hallelujah! (Daniel 7:13-14)

Help us to see your authority, glory, and sovereign power in our scripture reading today. Amen.

Scripture Reading - Mark 2:1-12 (ESV)
     And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

     Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

     And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

Son of Man, we are amazed at your power to forgive sins. You radiate the glory of God. You are the exact representation of his being. By the power of your word you forgive sins and heal, sustaining all things. You faithfully provided purification for our sins and are now seated at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven! You are high and lifted up. We long for the day when you will return - coming with the clouds of heaven to reign forever in your forever kingdom. Amen. (Mark 14:62)

Jesus, you see our hearts, you know when they are full of faith and when they are unbelieving. Forgive our unbelief. Help us to believe, O Son of Man, who has authority on earth to forgive sins. Increase our faith in your power! We confess that you alone have the power to cleanse us. May we not seek it from any other source.

Father, we praise you for the promise you made long ago: I will cleanse them from all the guilt of their sin against me, and I will forgive all the guilt of their sin and rebellion against me. (Jeremiah 33:8, Ezekiel 37 &37) Thank you for cleansing us and making us your people, living together as your family in your presence. Amen.

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 byCrossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.