In God's great love of mankind he sent Christ to reconcile humanity to Himself
• When He began His public ministry, Jesus sought out sinners and those who were lost
• He angered the Scribes and Pharisees not only for associating with sinners but also for claiming to forgive sins
• They were not bothered that Jesus healed the sick, but to heal the soul was the work of God
• But claiming to forgive sins, Jesus was proclaiming His divinity- which would be blasphemous unless it were true
• Jesus death and resurrection conquered sin and offer hope that we may find forgiveness in Him
