Who can forgive sins?

"...he said, 'Man, your sins are forgiven you.' And the scribes and Pharisees began to question, saying, 'Who is this that speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God only?'" (Luke 5:20-21 RSV)

Who can forgive sins but God only?

Where can we go to be freed from our captivity? To whom can we turn? You alone Lord have the words of eternal life. You alone give us the water of which we shall never thirst again.

Behold, the lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.

On him lies the punishment that brings us peace. Ours were the sufferings he bore, our the sorrows he carried. He was pierced through for our faults, crushed for our sins.

His name is mercy.

A love which is so great it knows complete sacrifice. The callouses of sin melt in his glance. The undeserving receive from him the gift of grace.

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28 RSV)