Why would the religious authorities get upset when Jesus said, “Your sins are forgiven?” Because He was making a bold claim, since only God can forgive sins!
Ex 34:5-7 “5 The Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there and proclaimed the Lord by name. The Lord passed by before him and proclaimed: ‘The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, and abounding in loyal love and faithfulness, keeping loyal love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.’
And He backed it up by showing them a miracle!
The following is a brief introduction to Matthew, and is from William Hendriksen’s commentary on Mark in the New Testament Commentary:
Matthew, a Jewish tax-collector, in the service of Rome; and as such,
Abhorred by the Jews, especially by the scribes. Nevertheless, he was
Trained in the Old Testament, which he quotes very often. He was
Talented, an inspired writer, acquainted with Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek;
Humble and Hospitable; see especially Luke 5:28, 29;
Evangelistic, reaching out to others, and
Willing, ready, and eager to obey the Master’s call.
We should be willing as well, because Jesus makes us new!
2 Corinthians 5:17 “So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away—look, what is new has come!”
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