“‘Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone’? But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, ‘Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, “Your sins are forgiven you,” or to say, “Arise, take up your bed and walk?” But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins’ – – He said to the paralytic, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” 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 2:7-12)
Here we find unbelievers who question the authority of Jesus, but more specifically, His deity. They refuse to believe that He is God. So, they reason about it in their minds. The word “reason” contains the concept of logic in the Greek language. So, Jesus responds with a logical deduction (better known as a syllogism or a logical deductive statement, which contains 2 premises and a conclusion):
I. Premise #1 – – Only God can do certain things! (Mark 2:7)
Just as creating this universe, raising people from the dead or giving eternal life to individuals is a mark of deity, so also is the forgiveness of sins. That is only something God does, not any church or human.
II. Premise #2 – – Jesus did it! (Mark 2:5, 10)
Jesus forgave this paralytic’s sins! And to prove that He alone had this divine prerogative or function, Jesus demonstrated His deity by healing this man of his paralysis.
III. Conclusion: If only God can do certain things and Jesus did it, therefore, JESUS IS GOD! (Mark 2:12)
Only Jesus Christ can create this universe (which He did). Only Jesus Christ can raise people from the dead (which He did and will do). Only Jesus Christ can forgive your sins and give you eternal life – – because He alone is God! This fact is amazing and brings glory to God the Father (Mark 2:12)! Do you want to be healed of your sins? Ask Jesus, God’s Son, to save you! He will!
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