“That you may know” #1169

9 “Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’? 10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralytic, 11 “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” 12 Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!” (Mark 2:9–12, NKJV)

Jesus had just told the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven” (Mk. 2:5). After that, the miraculous healing of the man was evidence that Jesus “has power on earth to forgive sins” (v. 10). This teaches us one of the prevailing reasons for the miracles of Jesus. They were convincing proof that Jesus is the Savior of mankind. His name means “Savior” (“for He will save His people from their sins,” Matt. 1:21). He is Immanuel (“God with us,” Matt. 1:23). He is the “Son of Man,” because He rises above every other man, as the one man in whom dwells the fullness of the Godhead, bodily (Col. 2:9). The visible miracles He worked show His power to do an even greater, invisible work – the forgiveness of sins. An inspired record has been left of some of His miracles, so “that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name” (Jno. 20:31).

Prophetic Concepts of Messiah #861

67  Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: 68  “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people,69  And has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David” (Luke 1:67–69, NKJV)

This inspired proclamation by the father of John the baptizer aptly depicts the prophetic concepts of the Messiah which God “spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets” (Lk. 1:70). First, Messiah would visit mankind doing God’s work (v. 68). The work accomplished by Christ Jesus is the work of God Himself (Isa. 61:1-2; Lk. 4:16-21). Second, the coming Messiah was prophetically associated with salvation (v. 69; Isa. 53:11-12). Christ Jesus is the Savior who brings mercy and the remission of sins (v. 71, 72, 77). Third, the coming Messiah would be regal, a king of the house of David (v. 69; Psa. 2:6; Lk. 1:32-33). Christ Jesus is King, and possesses all authority. He subdues His enemies and He is served by His people with reverence, holiness and righteousness (Lk. 1:74-75; Heb. 1:8-9). God’s prophets foretold of the coming Messiah. John announced His arrival (Lk. 1:76; 3:1-6). Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ. He is Immanuel (God with us), who saves and who reigns today. He is our Hope and our Salvation: “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

Equal with God #770

17  But Jesus answered them, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.” 18  Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God. (John 5:17–18, NKJV)

Jesus had just healed a lame man on the Sabbath. The Jewish rulers, due to their wrong interpretation and traditions concerning God’s law, viewed Jesus and the man He healed as Sabbath-breakers (Exo. 20:8-11; Jno. 5:8-11; 16). But, God’s law never prevented mercy. Jesus did not violate the Sabbath. Jesus forthrightly associated His work with God the Father. By doing so, they understood Him to be making Himself equal with God, and they were right. The Son is due the same honor as the Father (Jno. 5:23). Jesus would later say, “I and my Father are one” (Jno. 5:23; 10:30). Jesus Christ is Immanuel, “God with us” (Matt. 1:23). All who refuse to believe in Jesus as being “the fullness of the Godhead bodily,” join with those who tried and eventually did, kill Jesus (Col. 2:9). What will you believe?