Jesus often stated the purpose of His mission. He told the people of Nazareth that He was fulfilling what Isaiah (61:1) had said about Him:
“The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, because he has anointed [chosen] me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed“ (Luke 4:18).
By saying that He was “anointed” Jesus claimed to be the Christ. (Christ means “Anointed One.”) Israel’s ancient kings were anointed when oil was poured on them. Jesus received a far richer anointing – God’s own Spirit came down upon Him at His baptism (Matthew 3:16; Acts 10:38). From that time Jesus began speaking out publicly about freedom from sin and suffering. While Jesus was visiting a Pharisee, a sinful woman came into the room. The Pharisee was upset. But Jesus made her feel welcome. He then said to her,
“Your sins are forgiven… Your faith has saved you; go in peace“ (Luke 7:48,50).
People there asked, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” All sin is against God. The only One who can finally free people of their sins is God. How could Jesus claim a right belonging to God? If God had given Jesus power to forgive sins, how could people be sure of that fact?
The answer is given in Luke 5. Jesus was teaching in a crowded house. A man who could not walk was lying outside. To get past the crowd, his friends carried him up to the roof. Through a hole in the roof, they carefully lowered the man to the floor in front of Jesus. Jesus saw their faith. The story continues as Jesus said,
“Man, your sins are forgiven you.“ And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies [words against God]? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” When Jesus perceived [understood] their thoughts, he answered them, “Why do you question in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” —he said to the man who was paralyzed [could not use his legs]— “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.” And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God (Luke 5:20-25).
This healing miracle clearly proved that God had given Jesus special power. Jesus could do impossible things that are seen. And so people should believe that Jesus also had power to do impossible things that are not seen. If God gave Jesus power to heal the visible body instantly, then God could also give Jesus power to heal the invisible spirit instantly!