Who Is This Man?Egzanp

He’s the savior of the world and even forgives sins.

When Jesus claimed to be the Messiah, one problem he faced was that the crowds had all sorts of erroneous expectations for what the Messiah was supposed to do. Chief among these was the belief that the Messiah would come only for the Jews, and he would deliver them from their political oppressors, the Romans. Jesus disappointed the Jews on both counts. Instead, he declared himself to be “the light of the world” (John 8:12) and “the bread of God . . . who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world” (John 6:33). The good news of Jesus Christ isn't restricted to a specific time and place. It is worldwide and world changing. John the Baptist proclaimed it at the very beginning of Jesus’ ministry: “Look, the lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).

Not only is Jesus the Savior of the world, but what he saves from isn’t political oppression; it is sin. As the Son of God, he has “authority on earth to forgive sins” (Luke 5:24). That claim also got him into hot water with the religious leaders. The Pharisees were utterly offended: “Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” (Luke 5:21) But that is the Christian good news: Jesus is the “friend of sinners” (Luke 7:34), the Great Physician who came for the sick, not for those who think they are well (Luke 5:31). And whose sins does he forgive? Those who believe in him: “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live. Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.” (John 11:25-26).

That also explains why the work of the Messiah is for the entire world, not for the Jews only. Not everyone is born a Jew, but everyone may come to believe in the Christ, and in him find forgiveness of sin and eternal life.

When Jesus proclaimed to a sinful woman who had anointed his feet with oil, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace,” the Pharisees ”began to say among themselves, ‘Who is this man who even forgives sins?’” Jesus had just finished telling them one of my favorite stories, the parable of the two debtors. A lender forgave two people who couldn’t repay him: one who owed 50 denarii and another who owed 500. Which one will love the lender more? The one who owed more (Luke 7:41-43). Jesus connects our love of God to the forgiveness of our sins.

Whoever has been forgiven little loves little, whoever has been forgiven much loves much. I love much.

We hope you enjoyed reading this plan. Learn more at https://www.tyndale.com/p/confessions-of-a-french-atheist/9781496443021 or follow Dr. Guillaume Bignon on Twitter @theoloGUI or on Facebook, Guillaume Bignon - Author.