Mark 3
-The Lord’s Sabbath healings continue with a man who had a
withered hand. The Pharisees by now were watching closely to see what He would
do in this situation. Jesus called him forward and asked the question, “Is it
lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save a life or to kill?”
Everyone kept silent, which angered the God Man. “Grieved at their hardness of
heart” He commanded the man to stretch out his hand, and his hand was restored
like new. This led the Pharisees to go out and conspire with the Herodians, a
political powerhouse of the day, as to how they might destroy Him (Mark 3:1-6).”
They mistakenly thought He was a blasphemer and law breaker because of their
own man-made traditions and hard hearts.
-Jesus withdrew to the sea with His disciples, and a great
multitude followed Him to see what would transpire next. They came from the
Galilee, Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea (to the south of Jerusalem), beyond the
Jordan River to the east, and the vicinity of the coastal regions to the north
of Tyre and Sidon. A tremendous amount of people got the news and were coming
to hear and see what Jesus was doing. Jesus showed great preparation in having
His disciples get a boat ready for Him so that He could project His Voice from
the water and maintain a teaching distance for His message. He had healed many
and knew that the crowds would be pressing in on Him to touch Him. Whenever
unclean spirits saw Him, they would fall down before Him and cry out, “You are
the Son of God!” However, He earnestly warned them not to divulge His identity
to the populace (Mark 3:7-12).
-The events rapidly move to the point when the Christ
appointed His twelve disciples. On an unnamed mountain, Jesus summoned who He
wanted as His inner circle to train and prepare for His world changing mission.
His plan was to send them out to preach as they became ready with His message
empowered by His Spirit (Matthew 28-18-20, Mark 16:15, 20). He appointed the
twelve so that they could be with Him intimately as He sojourned in His earthly
ministry. They would have authority to cast out demons, which was to multiply
the ministry of the Kingdom as it was advancing. Simon (Peter), James and John
(the sons of Zebedee, the sons of thunder “Boanerges” was their nicknames),
Andrew (Peter’s brother), Philip, Bartholomew (Nathaniel), Mattew (Levi),
Thomas (the doubting one, the twin), James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus (Judas,
son of James), Simon (the Zealot), and Judas Iscariot (the betrayer of Jesus)
were called as the disciples of Jesus (Mark 3:13-19).
-Now, the Lord came home and the crowds pressed them to the
point that they could not even eat a meal. People started to talk and make
comments that He had lost His senses. They even tried to take Him into custody.
Scribes who had come down from Jerusalem started claiming that He was possessed
by the devil, which gave Him power over the demons that He was casting out of
people. Jesus called them to Himself and rationalized the situation in
parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself
that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house
will not be able to stand. If Satan has risen up against himself and is
divided, he cannot stand, but he is finished! But no one can enter the strong
man’s house and plunder his property unless he first binds the strong man, and
then he will plunder his house. Truly I say to you, all sins shall be forgiven
the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes
against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin
(Mark 3:20-29).” He was saying this because they accused Him of having an
unclean spirit (Mark 3:30). Denial of the Holy Spirit is blasphemy and incurs
eternal condemnation from God. The Spirit of Jesus is One and the same as the Holy
Spirit. They are in complete unity, and these scribes were denying His supreme
authority, an unpardonable sin.
-Then, we get the scene when the Lord’s mother and brothers
arrived, but had to stand outside because of the crowds. Being made aware of
their presence outside the house, Jesus made a community of Kingdom point. He
said, “Who are My mother and My brothers?” Then looking around at those
gathered with Him, He continued, “Behold My mother and My brothers! For whoever
does the will of God, he is My brother and sister and mother (Mark 3:31-35).”
-*Application* Have you ever thought of yourself as the
brother, sister, or mother of Jesus? We are in complete fellowship and
relationship with Him when we have trusted in His loving grace. He, the King,
has called us “friends (John 15:15-17).”
Verse to Memorize:
Mark 3:35
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