For that which we need most, we have no capacity to meet the need in and of ourselves.

We have the power for neither...

In Matthew 9:1-8, Christ's opponents wrongly assumed that Jesus did not have the authority to forgive sins. They rightly understood that only God can forgive sins, but wrongly assumed Christ was not God.

Jesus posed a question: "For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?" (Matthew 9:5 ESV)

As Messiah, and, more importantly, as very God, Jesus had spoken with authority over religion and theology in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). In Matthew 8:1-17, Jesus touched leper, spoke healing over a centurion's servant, simply thought a fever of out of Peter's mother-in-law, and healed many other things in ways too numerous to spell out. In Matthew 8:23-27, He spoke with authority over creation, calming a storm and wowing His disciples. In Matthew 8:28-34, Jesus cast demons out of two men.

Now, here in Matthew 9:2, Jesus exercises His authority by forgiving sin. Jesus proclaims, "Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee." (KJV)

This offends some religious because they rightly know only God can forgive, but they wrongly assume Jesus is not God. Jesus's question in Matthew 9:5 is piercing; He basically asks, "Which can you do? Can you heal? Do you have the power to absolve sin?" Of course, we know the answer. They could do neither!

And neither can we do either!

Thank God for Jesus. HE IS THE MESSIAH! HE has the authority to forgive sins, the power to grant life, the willingness to pay for sins, and the desire to grant us Himself.

I can neither raise the dead or grant forgiveness to those at odds with God, but I am thankful I know the Lord Jesus Christ, because He can!