Mark 3:20-35 Rejection of Jesus

Mark 3:20-35   Rejection of Jesus                                July 15, 2017

The Increasing Rejection of Jesus 

As Jesus' ministry expanded, so did rejection of Him as God's anointed Servant. Mark documented the increasing rejection that Jesus experienced.  

With the crowds to continue to follow Jesus and were now having to make personal decisions about Him.  Jesus family feels He went over the edge. 

Mark 3:20  Then the multitude came together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread.   

Here we go again.  Many people trying to get into the house again. 

Could not so much as eat. The multitudes were so eager to hear, or be healed, and Jesus so ready to bless them, that there was no time for meals.  Our Lord and His disciples could not find time to have their regular meals. Notice the excitement and popularity was now at its height; the opposition now takes definite form and stems the tide.  Apparently Jesus could not even teach because the press was so great, and they beg Jesus to do something that is urgent, neither one allowed them to hear Jesus preach. 

Mark pictures Jesus and His disciples in a house. Jews wanting healing or some other favor from Jesus barged right in through the door. There were so many of them that Jesus "could not even eat a meal," much less get some needed rest. The house was completely full of seekers. More people around outside the building, trying to get in through the doors and windows.  

The Servant of the Lord was constantly at work, serving others. 

(21)  But when His own people heard about this, they went out to lay hold of Him, for they said, "He is out of His mind."   

His kinsfolk or near relatives.  Remember Jesus brethren or brothers were not yet counted among his disciples.   Mary?

Opposition to Jesus came not only from His enemies. Jesus' own people, no doubt close friends and relatives, heard of his teaching and assumed that He was out of His mind. This may have been due to the hard schedule Jesus kept. He had only three and one-half years to finish His work, and He needed to make the most of this time. Even then, He had to withdraw at times to keep a balance in life,  physically, mentally, and spiritually. 

Jesus own friends and family did not understand what was going on or understand Him, except for His mother? His friends came to “take charge of Him” because they thought He was a fanatic. His family was greatly worried about Him. The huge crowds, the miracles, and the widespread reports about Jesus convinced them that something had to be done. He was going too far in their mind and He has become a fanatic.  

Mark 6:4 But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house." 

Matthew10:35-36 For I have come to 'SET A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW';  (36)  and 'A MAN'S ENEMIES WILL BE THOSE OF HIS OWN HOUSEHOLD.' 

Now, a major change, Scribes Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit, being in League with Satan.  After this, they are ready to kill Jesus. 

(22)  And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, "He has Beelzebub," and, "By the ruler of the demons He casts out demons."  

Think about this for a minute.  Pharisee and scribes Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit, dangerous ground.  They were saying these supernatural events were done by Satan, and not by God. 

Blasphemy means in Scriptures (especially against God): - defame, rail on, revile, speak evil.   

From Jerusalem. These men who were leaders in this effort to destroy the influence of Jesus were a delegation from the very religious bodies at Jerusalem that finally sent him to death.

 

The purpose of their coming was doubtless to entrap and oppose Him, and they would go to His headquarters. The religious leaders had to explain His miracles in some way; so they said He was empowered by the devil.

Beelzebub:  A heathen god considered by the Jews to be the supreme evil spirit.   Drawing to many people to follow Jesus, not the Jewish leadership. 

The scribes, or teachers of the Jewish law, were more harsh and direct in their assessment of Jesus. They accused Him of being possessed by Beelzebub (the dung god, literally, “lord of the Flies” or lord of filth;  another name for Satan.) A form of the name of Baal as worshiped at the Philistine city of Ekron.  This false charge demonstrates a hardness of heart and is akin to blaspheming against the Holy Spirit.  They are saying “He is possessed not merely by a demon, but by Satan himself.” 

2 Kings 1:3 But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, "Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say to them, 'Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?' 

He hath Beelzebub. Mark, states they charged Him, not only with exercising Satanic power, but with being Himself possessed by an evil spirit.

The bottom line, they viewed Jesus as being allied with Satan accused Him of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub as the prince of demons. 

(23)  So He called them to Himself and said to them in parables: "How can Satan cast out Satan?                      (Said to who, to them) 

Jesus from this point on, He speaks to the Pharisees in parables. 

Called them to Himself:  Jesus called them and they came to see what He had to say in defense of his character and miracles. 

How can Satan cast out Satan? or one devil cast out another? Jesus pointed out the folly of that argument; for if He were casting out demons by Satan’s power, then Satan would be fighting against himself! Satan’s kingdom and house would be divided! 

(24)  If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.  

Note that Satan does have a kingdom, for he is the “prince of this world.” 

John 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 

(25)  And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.  (26)  And if Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand, but has an end.   

He cannot stand, but hath an end: his kingdom cannot stand long, but must soon come to an end; his power and authority will soon be destroyed when Jesus returns to the earth. 

(27)  No one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. And then he will plunder his house.   

We see Jesus replied to the charge against Him "with parables." That is, He used comparisons. He pointed out that it was illogical for Him to "cast out" Satan's agents if He was one of Satan's agents. Satan would then be working against himself. Therefore, since Jesus was in fact destroying Satan's work, He must be stronger than Satan. 

The fact that Jesus cast out demons is proof that He is stronger than “the strong man” and able to deliver those who have been bound by the devil/Satan. 

Whoever defeats Satan must be stronger than he. Jesus implies that He Himself has come to enter the house of the strong man, Satan, to seize his goods.

1 John 3:8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 

(28)  "Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter;  (29)  but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation"— (30)  because they said, "He has an unclean spirit."   

Unpardonable Sin – It is much more than a sin of words because words come from the heart, and that is where the sin lies.  Matthew 12:32-37 

Jesus made it clear that God can and will forgive all sins. 

The unpardonable sin is refusal to trust in Jesus Christ. 

John 3:16-18 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  (17)  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.  (18)  "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 

But when the Spirit came at Pentecost and the believers did many marvelous works, the Jewish leaders still refused to believe.  They rejected the evidence and died in unbelief.  They sinned against the witness of the Spirit and could not be forgiven.  Because of the hatred and bitterness they had against Jesus, it seared their minds and could not repent.  

In saying that Jesus had an unclean spirit they had attributed to the devil the work of the Holy Spirit.  

It is not a single act of defiant behavior, but a continued state of opposition that enters into with your heart and mind. 

Revelation 20:15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. 

The words and works of Christ were spoken and performed by the power of the Holy Spirit. To attribute them to Satan is to attribute the works of heaven to hell. If someone still believes this, to me it is scary. How someone can enter into this view is a difficult question.  Why.  Because. 

They will start to have a root of Bitterness and their conscience will become seared. Once the bitterness starts and the conscience starting to be seared, it is hard for someone to repent. 

Hebrews 12:15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; 

1 Timothy 4:1-2 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,  (2)  speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, 

This saying of Jesus has caused many people great concern throughout the history of the church. Many individuals have wondered if we have committed the unpardonable sin. If we have concern that we may have committed it, it is a good indication that we have not.   

Satan accuse and attack God’s people, trying to convince them they are lost, but it is impossible for a Christian to commit an unpardonable sin. 

We do not have the bitterness against Jesus and our conscience have not been seared.  The way to avoid committing the unpardonable sin is to believe and have faith in the Words of Jesus in Scripture, as the Holy Spirit leads us. 

Jesus' Mother and Brothers 

The interference of Jesus' family 

(31)  Then His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside they sent to Him, calling Him.    (both, sent and calling, Him) 

The house where Jesus was present was so full of people that His family could not get in, but had to send word to Him that they had arrived. This approach reflects normal family relationships. They wanted to talk to Him privately and convince Him to restrain His activity.  We are not told precisely what the family wanted to say, but it likely involved a concern for Jesus' safety or reputation, since He was becoming widely known as a preaching prophet and a worker of miracles. Why, were they being affected by what Jesus was doing. 

Jesus had four brothers and at least two sisters. Verse 31 is the only mention of Mary in the Gospel of Mark. 

Matthew 13:55-56 Is this not the carpenter's son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas?  (56)  And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?" 

Mark 6:3 Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?" So they were offended at Him. 

(32)  And a multitude was sitting around Him; and they said to Him, "Look, Your mother and Your brothers are outside seeking You."  

The multitude "sitting around him" The disciples sat in a circle around Jesus with the disciples forming a sort of inner circle, to hear him preach.  This was also keep people from getting right next to him. 

Jesus identified His disciples as those closest to Him. This would have been a startling statement for Jesus' hearers, because the Jews valued natural family relationships highly. Jesus was not denying family relationships  

He was teaching the priority of spiritual family over natural relationships.

(33)  But He answered them, saying, "Who is My mother, or My brothers?" 

(34)  And He looked around in a circle at those who sat about Him, and said, "Here are My mother and My brothers!  (35)  For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother." 

Jesus was not rude to His physical family.  He simply used their concern as an opportunity to explain what it means to belong to the family of God.  We, who has the Holy Spirit in us, are closer to Jesus than even His own earthly family: 

Ephesians 5:30 For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. 

What is the Will of God and for our lives? 

John 9:31 Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him. 

Notice that being a worshiper of God and doing his will are same. Secondly, it reminds us that when we obey the Lord, that he listens to us and to our prayers. 

Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 

Jesus wants us to be mature and be in the will of God. 

1 Thessalonians 5:18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 

Gratitude, giving thanks and a grateful heart are part of God’s will for our daily lives. 

1 Peter 2:15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— 

We need to do good whenever the opportunities present themselves. 

1 John 2:17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. 

If we do Jesus will, then we will receive the gift of eternal life, being changed to spirit being at His coming. 

Yes, we may get tired sometimes, but Jesus is always there to strengthen and encourage us in our journey with him, and the reward is beyond compare. 

This is the end of Chapter 3