1. Jesus' word is God's word     His word is eternal, just as God’s word is eternal (Matthew 5:17-18; 24:35). No other prophets had ever referred to God’s word as their own. Their task was to proclaim "This is what the LORD says ..."; "Hear the word of the LORD ..." (see Exodus 8:1; 1 Kings 20:13; Isaiah 28:14; Jeremiah 19:15). But Jesus was different.

2. Jesus has the authority to forgive sins     Jesus declared the paralytic forgiven of his sins (Mark 2:5-6). No-one has the right to forgive people their sins except God. Even Muslims believe this (see Surah 3:135). Jesus proved His power to forgive sins by healing the paralytic. Would God have given Jesus the power to perform this miracle if He had no right to forgive the sick man his sins? Jesus told people on other occasions that their sins were forgiven (Luke 7:36-50; John 8:1-11). In Luke 7:49, people reacted by saying, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"

From the book:  Faith to Faith, by Chawkat Moucarry, Liecester, England: IVP. 2001. Pages 197-200.  Used with permission.