Mark J. L. Mattheiss Music/Ministry

Luke 5:17-26

17 One day while he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem were sitting nearby, and the power of the Lord was with him to heal.[d] 18 Just then some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a stretcher. They were trying to bring him in and lay him before Jesus,[e] 19 but, finding no way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down on the stretcher through the tiles into the middle of the crowd[f] in front of Jesus. 20 When he saw their faith, he said, “Friend,[g] your sins are forgiven you.” 21 Then the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, “Who is this who is speaking blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 22 When Jesus perceived their questionings, he answered them, “Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? 23 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk’? 24 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the one who was paralyzed—“I say to you, stand up and take your stretcher and go to your home.” 25 Immediately he stood up before them, took what he had been lying on, and went to his home, glorifying God. 26 Amazement seized all of them, and they glorified God and were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen incredible things today.”

Why did they charge Him with blasphemy? Because only God can forgive sins. Why did Jesus forgive the man’s sins? Because God can forgive sins. How did Jesus prove the authority of His statement? By healing the man physically - miraculously, powerfully, demonstratively, authoritatively, completely. 

Who, but God, can forgive sins? 

No one. 
Jesus works a miracle to emphasize the truth that “The Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” Jesus is the Son of Man. He can forgive sins. Only God can forgive sins. Jesus, The Son of Man, is God. (Thus the accusation of blasphemy) If Jesus wasn’t God, what He said would have been blasphemy. 

Mt. 24:23-28

If anyone says to you then: 'Look! Here is the Messiah!’ or ‘There he is!’—do not believe it. 24 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and produce great signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 25 Take note, I have told you beforehand. 26 So, if they say to you, ‘Look! He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look! He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27 For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 28 Wherever the corpse is, there the eagles will gather.

Though Jesus spoke these words plainly, many have gone after false messiahs such as Jim Jones. The enemy wants the adoration due Christ, without going through the suffering of Christ, that is to say, without loving. Jesus tells us that the Father seeks worshippers, too,  but not out of vainglory or jealousy of another, but because He loves us and knows that as we worship Him, Who alone is worthy, we will be blessed for being aligned with the Truth. 

Mt. 22:16-17

Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one, for you do not regard people with partiality. 17 Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

This would normally be flattery, but it’s actually true! They can’t even puff Him up because He is so far above who they think He is. 

Mt. 7:22

On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 

How are these His enemies? They call Him “Lord.” They do mighty works. Yet He says: “I never knew you; go away from me, you who behave lawlessly.”

“I never knew you.” They must have been performing all these works apart from Him, apart from His heart and will.  They might have fooled men, and called forth faith for miracles, but with the wrong motives and apart from knowing Him. Only real intimacy and true surrender will do. God is not mocked. He is not fooled. He, alone, is God. And works apart from love gain us “nothing.” (See  1Cor.13)