Mark 3:20-35
Q .1. How well was Jesus accepted by His own people? To whom did the Scribes ascribe Christ’s power? How did Jesus expose the folly of their arguments? Why did He cast out demons? – (Mk.3:20-27)
Returning to a house, probably Peter’s, Jesus was besieged by crowds of needy people (Mk.3:20 c.f. Mk.1:29-34; 2:1-2). However, not everyone was excited by His caring ministry. They say that ‘familiarity breeds contempt’. Mark explained why Jesus’ relatives tried to stop His ministry – for they were saying, “He has lost His senses” (Mk.3:21 c.f. Mk.3:31). The Scribes had a slightly different explanation, claiming – He is possessed by Beelzebul, and He casts out the demons by the ruler of the demons (Mk.3:22). Jesus pointed to the fallacy of such an argument. The casting out of demons would mean that Satan’s kingdom was divided, and therefore could not stand (Mk.3:24-26). In truth, Jesus was binding up Satan, in order to plunder and destroy his house (Mk.3:27).
Q.2. Are all sins and blasphemy forgivable? What made the sin of the Scribes an eternal sin? Who were the mother and brothers of Jesus to Him? How can someone qualify to be part of His family? – (Mk.3:28-35)
According to Jesus, all sins and blasphemy are forgivable … except for one. He declared – 31 … any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven. 32 Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come (Mt.12:31-32 c.f. Mk.3:28-29). Jesus claimed that those like these Scribes and (Pharisees), who slandered His works – never have forgiveness, but are guilty of an everlasting sin – because they were saying, ‘He has an unclean spirit’ (Mk.3:29-30 c.f. Mt.12:22-32). Many people in the past and present have been wrong about Jesus, and then repented later. However, God has ordained that it is the role of the Holy Spirit to convict of sin, to lead to repentance and reveal Christ as Saviour (Jn.16:7-11). To silence His voice, or malign His convicting work, is tantamount to blocking off any road to salvation. These leaders were rejecting the witness of the Holy Spirit to their hearts and minds, and to do that is unforgivable. Mark also recorded that – His mother and His brothers arrived and standing outside they sent word to Him and called Him (Mk.3:31). It is possible that they felt pressured by their relatives to try to persuade Jesus to cease His ministry (c.f. Mk.3:21; Jn.7:3-5). When they told Jesus, He raised the question –Who are My mother and My brothers? (Mk.3:33). Jesus then outlined what qualified a person to be part of His family – 34 …Behold My mother and My brothers! 35 For whoever does the will of God, he is My brother and sister and mother (Mk.3:34-35). All who seek to know Him better, and then obey His will, are those who belong to the everlasting family of God.