DANGEROUS LIES
Opening Prayer
Father, speak to me through your Word; help me hear how you want me to follow Jesus today.
Read MARK 3:20–35
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Jesus Accused by His Family and by Teachers of the Law
20 Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. 21 When his family[a] heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”
22 And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.”
23 So Jesus called them over to him and began to speak to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26 And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. 27 In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man’s house. 28 Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, 29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.”
30 He said this because they were saying, “He has an impure spirit.”
31 Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. 32 A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.”
33 “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked.
34 Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”
Footnotes
- Mark 3:21 Or his associates
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Meditate
‘Come near to God and he will come near to you.’1 Quiet your heart before the Lord.
Think Further
Jesus now faces further opposition, this time from an unexpected group. His family arrives to seize him and take him home, believing him to be ‘out of his mind’ (v. 21). Perhaps the criticism he’d received from religious leaders and his association with society’s outcasts alarmed them.2 They may have worried about his lifestyle, as crowds constantly pressed in on him, placing him in physical danger or making it difficult for him to have time to eat (v. 20). Whatever the reason, it must have been painful for Jesus to be misunderstood by his own family. The opposition of the religious authorities was different: they were not confused about Jesus. They could see that his mighty works could only be the result of God’s power, yet they denied this to discredit him. They even claimed he could cast out demons because he was himself possessed by the prince of demons (v. 22).
Jesus’ warning about an unforgivable sin often worries people. The religious leaders were in danger of this because they knowingly lied about Jesus. Their hearts were so set against him that they declared this godly man evil. Their hardened consciences would prevent them from repenting and so deny them forgiveness.3 Our focus should be on Jesus’ comforting words that ‘people can be forgiven all’ other ‘sins and every slander’ (v. 28). This forgiveness is illustrated by the changed attitude of Jesus’ family in later years. Despite their initial doubts, his mother and some, at least, of his brothers went on to become his followers.4 Indeed, his brother James was so committed that he led the church in Jerusalem and was martyred for his faith – stoned to death, according to Josephus.5
Apply
Pray for anyone who finds it hard to believe God can forgive them or who is struggling to repent. Pray that their eyes may be opened to God’s amazing grace.
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for your promise that whoever comes to you, you will never drive away. Help me to remember and remind others.
1 James 4:8 2 William Barclay, The Gospel of Mark, Westminster John Knox Press, 2017, p71 3 Barclay, p77 4 Acts 1:12–14 5 Antiquities of the Jews, 20, 199–203
Book and Author Intros
Extras
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Encounter with God is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.