He Has Authority to Forgive Sins

Luke 5:17-26

About the Sermon

Not everyone was happy that Jesus was healing the sick. We meet some of them this Sunday when Jesus draws their ire by doing something even more bold: forgiving sins. In Luke 5:17–26 we come to a passage toward which the last several encounters with Jesus have been leading. Peter confessed his sins and Jesus told him not to fear. A leper begged for cleaning and Jesus healed him and restored him to the community. Now, in this week's passage Jesus heals to prove that he can heal our relationship with God. In short, Jesus has authority to forgive sins. It's such a nice thing to do. But why is forgiveness a sin that some just can't forgive?

About the Series

Luke writes that we may be certain of the things that we have been taught. That is, confident in the good news about Jesus. Apparently some of the things we have been taught are so wonderful they are hard to believe. In his orderly account, Luke announces good news of great reversals in which God humbles the proud and exalts the humble. Peace with God through the forgiveness of sins really is available but on God’s terms. To show us how we must come to him, Luke introduces us to the characters Jesus lifted up and to the proud whom he brought low. In all this he compels us to humbly believe in the Son of the Most High God and to preach this good news of great joy to the end of the earth.
Luke writes that we may be certain of the things that we have been taught. That is, confident in the good news about Jesus. Apparently some of the things we have been taught are so wonderful they are hard to believe. In his orderly account, Luke announces good news of great reversals in which God humbles the proud and exalts the humble. Peace with God through the forgiveness of sins really is available but on God's terms. To show us how we must come to him, Luke introduces us to the characters Jesus lifted up and to the proud whom he brought low. In all this he compels us to humbly believe in the Son of the Most High God and to preach this good news of great joy to the end of the earth.

Sermons in the Series