5:20
There are several important things about this short verse. The first is that faith was the key to forgiveness. We are saved by faith, not by works. Secondly is the personal nature of this. It is not an impersonal thing. Jesus responded to their faith. When we put our faith in Christ He personally forgives us, it is not abstract. Finally, He saw “their” faith. The faith of the friends was relevant, it actually isn’t clear if the man himself had faith or not, but we should not press too far on this point.
5:21
The Pharisees and teachers of the Law were outraged. Now at one level this is understandable, and there is an important point to learn. Forgiving sins is a major issue, indeed one could argue it is the most significant thing that can happen to a person. Then there is the point that they were actually right in saying God alone can forgive sins. If Jesus was “just a good man”, or even “just a prophet” then many of the things He said and did do not make any sense, and indeed would be blasphemous or delusional. But Jesus is God, and so He does have the right to forgive sins. In fact, if Jesus is not God then there is no point in believing in Him.
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