Broken bread and small fish: Pharisee's Mistake

"Why does he talk like that? ...Who can forgive sins but God alone?" (Mark 2:6-7).

They're right. Only God can forgive sins. I can say the words; I can even hope they're true. But only God has the power and authority (Mark 2:10) to make them true. My neighbor may forgive me, and it's good if he does. It does mean something. It
means that he is not holding it against me, that he is making it possible for us to remain in relationship with each other, that he is free of my offense against him.

But although I am relieved of some of the outward consequences of my sin against my neighbor, I still stand in that same sin. I stand in my sin - all my sins - before God, no matter how many neighbors may have released me from my offenses against them. Because all sins are ultimately sins against God.

My neighbor can make it easier on me. But only God can set me free.

"Who can forgive sins but God alone?"(Mark 2:7).

They are absolutely right. No one can.

But they're still wrong.

For years and years they've been waiting for the Messiah. How is it that they've missed You so completely?

They didn't expect You to be God.

But why not? Who else could save us from this mess we're in? Who else, if only God can forgive our sins?

Only God. Only You.

They weren't expecting this kind of salvation. They weren't even wanting it. They didn't think they needed it. They were looking and hoping and waiting for something else, something physical, material, and...temporary.

And they missed You -
God - standing before them, offering forgiveness, offering eternity.

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