Tag: Christ Has the Authority - Luke 5-6

Luke 5:22-24 (ESV Strong's)

When Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, “Why do you question in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.”

Tag:  Christ Has the Authority

Imagine someone come along side of your car at a red light and attempting to issue you a ticket.   But, that “someone” is just the guy behind you in a beat-up Chevy!!   Since that person is not an officer of the law, he/she has no “authority” to issue you anything ... at least not binding.    But, replace that person with a sworn officer of the law and suddenly your day takes a bad turn.   Having authority or not having authority is a BIG deal.  In the above passage a man with paralysis comes to Jesus, in faith, and asks to be healed.   Jesus, instead, says to him:

Luke 5:20 (ESV Strong's)

And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.”

This, statement of forgiveness for sins, sets off a firestorm with the religious leaders who were observing the entire incident.   They challenged Jesus “authority” to forgive sins.    Jesus presents to them a bigger challenge by asking them which is easier: To say, “Your sins be forgiven you,” or, “Rise and walk?”   This is rhetorical in nature.  Jesus is making a point that in appearance it is easier to tell the man to his sins are forgiven than it would be to actually heal him ... at least in the eyes of the religious leaders.   But, Jesus knows the forgiveness of sins will cost Him his life.  By actually healing the man (much more theatrical) Jesus commands the body to do something.  Jesus has authority over the body ... and the soul.  That is the point of the story.  Jesus has the authority to do what He wants with God’s creation, except go against the plans of God.   God has given His Son the authority and power over all the earth and all creation:

Matthew 28:18 (ESV Strong's)

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

We can rest in the fact that mere man has no authority over us.  We are under the authority of the King of Kings.  He has the authority to do whatever He wants in our lives:  Good or bad.  We can rejoice in that power because God always uses that power for His glory and our ultimate good.