The Authority of Jesus: The Son of Man Who Forgives and Restores

Inspired by insights from the Grace and Truth Study Bible

"But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.”
— Mark 2:10–11

In Mark 2, we witness Jesus exercising divine authority in ways that both astonished and unsettled those around Him. When four friends tore through a roof to lower their paralyzed friend before Jesus, their act of desperation and faith was met with something unexpected: Jesus forgave the man’s sins. The crowd anticipated physical healing, but Jesus addressed a far deeper need first—the need for forgiveness.

This moment reveals Jesus' identity as the Son of Man, the one prophesied in Daniel 7:13–14, who holds eternal authority over God's kingdom. Jesus didn’t merely come to heal bodies but to bring reconciliation between God and humanity. His authority wasn’t limited to physical restoration; it extended to the forgiveness of sin—the deepest healing any person can receive.

But His authority wasn’t welcomed by all. Religious leaders recoiled at His boldness, questioning how a man could claim the authority to forgive sins—a prerogative belonging to God alone. Yet Jesus, in His compassion, confirmed His authority by physically healing the man, bridging the visible and the invisible, the body and the soul.

Later in the chapter, Jesus extends this radical grace further by calling Levi, a despised tax collector, to follow Him. Jesus' choice to dine with sinners shocked the religious elite, but it reflected the very heart of God: to seek and restore the lost. As Jesus explained, a doctor must be among the sick, not the healthy.

Jesus also challenged old religious customs, comparing His ministry to new wine that cannot be contained by old wineskins. He wasn’t here to patch up old systems but to usher in an entirely new era—one of joy, forgiveness, and restoration.

Finally, Jesus redefined the purpose of the Sabbath, declaring Himself Lord of the Sabbath. The Sabbath was meant to be a gift of rest, a preview of the eternal rest found in Him. Jesus wasn’t breaking the Sabbath; He was fulfilling it, showing that true rest is found not in rituals but in relationship with Him.

A Metaphor: The Broken Roof and the Open Heart

The friends of the paralyzed man tore through a roof to reach Jesus. That roof can symbolize the barriers—fear, pride, doubt—that keep us from bringing our deepest needs to Him. Yet Jesus welcomes our persistence. When we lower our burdens before Him, He not only meets our visible needs but also addresses the hidden wounds we may not even recognize.

Prayer of Confidence in Christ’s Authority

Father,
We rest in the truth that Jesus holds all authority in heaven and on earth. We rejoice that through Him, our sins are fully forgiven, and our souls are restored. Thank You for giving us everything we need in Christ—for healing that touches both body and spirit, and for the eternal rest found in Him. May we walk boldly in this freedom, trusting in Your perfect provision. We are grateful that no barrier is too great for Your grace to reach. We celebrate the joy of being fully known, fully forgiven, and fully loved. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Final Thought

Jesus' authority brings both forgiveness and restoration. His presence in our lives changes everything—not only healing what is seen but transforming what is unseen. May we live with confidence in the fullness of His grace, knowing that He has already provided all we need in Himself.