What does it mean that the Son of Man can forgive sins?

When Scripture declares that the Son of Man has the authority to forgive sins, it highlights the divine power inherent in Christ’s identity as both God and man. In Matthew 9:6, Christ explicitly states that He possesses this authority as the Son of Man, thereby affirming the truth that His work is rooted in His dual nature. Through His incarnation, He bridges the gap between humanity and God, allowing Him to provide the necessary atonement for sin. Furthermore, the act of forgiving sins is a mark of His messianic authority, emphasizing that true forgiveness and reconciliation with God can only be found in Him. This assurance of forgiveness is central to the beliefs of sovereign grace theology, reminding us that our salvation is not reliant on human merit but solely on Christ’s redemptive work.