Matt 9:2, Matt 9:6; Luke 7:47-48; Mark 2:7
Sometimes people get so full of their own self-importance that they think they can do some things that only God can do. One of those areas is forgiveness. There are things for which forgiveness is needed, but the person offended by the forgivable action is unavailable or global. Let me see if I can explain this.
If we were to meet today, and I walked up to you and punched you in the face, you would say, “Hey, what did you do that for?” I might respond, “I just felt like it.” If in the future I wanted forgiveness for punching you, I would have to ask you for that forgiveness. You are the one I offended. You are the one who can offer forgiveness.
But there is someone else who was offended. God, friends, relatives, society, and perhaps others, are also offended. There is no such thing as a “private” sin. All sin affects others. That affect might not be easily seen, but it is there.
If I am offended, I have the right to forgive. But who rightfully offers forgiveness when there is an offended unknown exists? I would suggest only God can offer forgiveness in specific “objectless” sins. When we mar the image of God in ourselves by living in a manner that is less than God designed and intended us to live, we offend God. God must then offer the forgiveness.
Jesus offers forgiveness for some of these “objectless” sins. In the Gospels we read that Jesus offered this kind of forgiveness to those around Him. It is not simply that He offers it, but that He demonstrates His ability to do it by healing the paralyzed man. We don’t know why this man was paralyzed. We don’t know what sin or sins Jesus forgave. We do know the man got up from the mat and walked away. Unseen sins are easy to claim power over; paralysis isn’t. Jesus did the seen one to prove He could do the unseen on.
Jesus provided forgiveness for the unknown offended person. So what does that have to do with me? Perhaps there is someone who has offended you, but they cannot or will not ask for forgiveness. Perhaps you have offended someone, but they can’t be asked to forgive you. Maybe you have sinned against an unknown person. Jesus can offer forgiveness when the other person can’t.
And when our sin is against God, Jesus is the One to ask.
The Arnold Journey 