What Jesus Did! 'Only God Can!' — Mark 2:6-7

Monday, February 1, 2016

Some of the teachers of the law were sitting there. They saw what Jesus did, and they said to themselves, "Why does this man say things like that? He is saying things that are against God. Only God can forgive sins."
— Mark 2:6-7 NLT
Illustration of Mark 2:6-7 NLT — "Why does this man say things like that? He is saying things that are against God. Only God can forgive sins."

Key Thought

Yes, the statement is the correct one! "Only God can forgive sins!" This startling statement was made by the religious opponents of Jesus, but it is intended for us as well. While we need to forgive each other, only God can completely forgive sins. That's the point. Jesus is the Christ, God's Son, who came among us. He is God in human skin. If we want to know how God values people, all we have to do is look at Jesus and we know. Even more important, if we want to know how our sins can be forgiven, we can look to him!

Today's Prayer

LORD God Almighty, I believe that you walked the roads of Galilee and Judea, getting your feet dirty with the dust of our mortality and your robe soiled with the sins of folks like me. Thank you for showing me your incomparable love and grace in Jesus, in whose name I praise and thank you. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • John 1:14-18
  • Luke 7:11-16
  • John 14:8-11

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did is a one-year devotional guide through the gospels, using one short passage each day and following the Gospel in consecutive order. Each devotional consists of a passage, reflection and a prayer which opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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