23 If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained.”
Message: Giving and Withholding Forgiveness
Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."
What the Lord is Saying: The idea of God forgiving sin I think is an interesting idea in scripture. I was speaking to someone recently that said I John 1:9 wasn't necessary to be prayed for it says, "If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us of those sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Their point that on the cross Jesus forgave sin and our salvation is accessed by our faith in Jesus as told in Ephesians 2:8-9. Now I've looked at this verse and studied and came away with the conclusion that it could also be used to acknowledge agreeing with God for our sins. Their argument is the confession of sin was needed but that need was a prior dispensation or time period and that once Jesus died on the cross, the need for confession was no more. More to come on that idea.
Today's passage is a passage that the Roman Catholic church uses to uphold the idea that their are those that have the authority to forgive sins and that authority is conveyed to the Apostles and then to their successors, the priests and bishops, who have a special sacramental authority. The Mormons or LDS church takes a similar role in conveying authority to the Apostles that then gets passed onto Joseph Smith and then he passes on to apostles in the church and that continues throughout the age of the church. It is an interesting idea I think that continues, that certain people on the earth get to receive the authority to forgive sin and they pass on that authority to others.
Mark 2:10 states that "the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins." Jesus forgave the sin of the paralytic. This appears to be his role and yet is it a role on while he was on earth. Did that change when after he had died on the cross?
Ephesians 1:7 gives forgiveness over to the shedding of blood -- "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us."
What happened in the Old Testament when animals were taken to the altar and their blood was shed for the sin of people? Leviticus 4 prescribes that "the priest shall make atonement for them, and they will be forgiven (verse 20)." This is repeated multiple times in this passage, either using a bull or a goat or a lamb but each time, though the types of sins may be different, the result it blood is placed somewhere for an offering and this process of atonement for sin results in forgiveness. Seems clear. But Hebrews 10:1-18 gives the direction that the Law and the sacrifices did not make anyone perfect. So while the sin was atoned for with blood it was not complete in its atonement, but was temporary, having to be repeated yearly and never completely washing away the sin. The song lyric says, "What can wash away my sin -- Nothing but the blood of Jesus" supports the idea that only Jesus' blood washes away sin. Hebrews 10:11-14, "Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time onward until His enemies be made a footstool for His feet. For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified."
Thus, the Old Testament provides us a script that is fulfilled in Jesus, namely that blood starts by temporarily covering sin, but then in Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross, all are perfected for all time. And it those that are being sanctified that are perfected, so those who have salvation and are continuing to be sanctified or working out their salvation (Philippians 2:12).
And then I come back to today's passage and other passages that speak to the idea of sin being forgiven. Jesus has come to the disciples. They were hiding in a room, trying to stay away from the officials out of concern that they would be held guilty of an offense as Jesus was held guilty. Jesus comes to them and confers upon them peace, the Holy Spirit, and then says and this is the translation from the Greek, "If of any you might forgive the sins they are forgiven them if any you might retain they are retained." What is Jesus saying in these verses because at first reading it sounds like he is conferring on the disciples the ability to forgive sin.
Now the person that told me earlier about the I John 1:9 not applying believes in dispensations and so can say that all of those verses are good verses, but they don't apply anymore today. And that's the basic idea. Is it that simple? Has something changed?
I suppose it still makes me wonder what this verse means and what Jesus meant by it. It seems clear that only Jesus/God can forgive sin. But, Jesus did give the Holy Spirit and maybe with the Holy Spirit upon them, it is really the Holy Spirit that is forgiving. It seems to be what he is doing is making us ambassadors for his work. Jesus forgives sin. It is a hard verse and I still not completely sure about it.
Summary: Jesus speaks to the disciples, mentioning that they can forgive or not forgive sin.
Promise: God promises to forgive all those who turn from their sins and believe in Jesus, so we can tell people that God has in fact forgiven them when they trust in Christ alone.
Prayer: Lord God, your word speaks to me, but I admit, at times, I am not completely understanding of it in all of its ways. Would you give me insight Holy Spirit and help me to better understand Your Words and all that they mean in all of their parts? At times, it feels like a puzzle and I believe in much of it and understand it but not always. And this passage does sort of confuse me, that Jesus would perhaps place forgiveness on others after he had died and risen again. Even if it was only for a time, I am not sure if that makes sense to me. Lord, I am not hanging on these words and I believe you have given wisdom and insight to people about these verses, simply help me to find those answers.
Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.
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