Is Forgiveness Possible? (Matthew 9:2–8)

08/15/21 Sermon - Shane Koehler – In today’s context people often think of forgiveness in purely emotional terms, and not the concept of pardoning or forgiving someone from guilt or punishment. That implies something else - a position of authority.­ In this account, a paralytic is brought to Jesus, and seeing their faith, He declares the man’s sins are forgiven. Jesus then confronts the accusations and doubts of the Scribes through the physical healing of the man. By this miracle, Jesus demonstrates to the people His authority and power to forgive the sins of men. The crowds respond to Christ’s authority with reverence and awe.