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by Fr. Vineeth Koshy
Gospel Reading: St. Mark 3:20-30
The ministry of the Lord Jesus was surrounded by constant controversy. Everyone Jesus met misunderstood Him and what He came to this world to do. Nearly everyone was guilty of misrepresenting His words and His works. The things Jesus did and said in love were used to attack Him in hate. We have already seen that the religious leaders had no use for Jesus. They hated Him and they hated everything He said and did. They despised Him so much that they actually plotted to have Him killed, Mark 3:6. Christ calls whom he will; for Christ’s grace is his own. He had called the apostles to separate themselves from the crowd, and they came unto him. He now gave them power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils.
The Attack
These men consider the words and works of the Lord and they say “He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of devils casteth He out devils.” They attribute the miracles of the Lord Jesus to the power of the devil. Beyond that, they accuse Jesus of working under the influence of “Beelzebub”. The name literally means “The Lord of Flies or The Lord of Filth.” Beelzebub was a loathsome, wicked demon associated with all things dirty and filthy. It was a cruel, heartless attack. Why would they say something so foolish and so cruel?
1. If they acknowledge that Jesus is working His miracles in the power of God, then they will be obligated to follow Him too.
2. If they acknowledge that Jesus is working His miracles in the power of God, they will have to admit that their old system of belief is dead and is being replaced.
3. If they acknowledge Jesus and what He is doing, they are out of business and they know it! They will have to change and that is not about to happen.
The Answer
Jesus calls His attackers to Him and He totally destroys their arguments. His uses three illustrations from life that prove Satan cannot be in the business of casting out Satan.
Secular Illustration – A kingdom in division is a kingdom that cannot stand. When there is civil war and strife within a kingdom, the stability of that kingdom is compromised and that kingdom is more likely to fall. For a kingdom to be strong it must be united.
Social Illustration – A house that exists in division is a house that cannot stand. Children who grow up in a home where mom and dad fight like cats and dogs do not stand a chance. A marriage that faces a constant barrage of fighting is a marriage that cannot stand. A home is not a home unless it is filled with love, unity and peace.
Spiritual Illustration – Jesus says that you cannot rob a well defended home unless you first tie up the defender of that home. The illustration is clear, Satan defends his kingdom, but Jesus had the power to invade Satan’s kingdom and deliver whomsoever he desires from the devil’s grip. Jesus has power over the devil!
1. v. 28 The Sin That Can Be Forgiven
Jesus makes a glorious statement in this verse. “All” manner of sins and blasphemes can be forgiven! Praise the Lord. Take any sin you may have committed; any blaspheme you may have spoken or thought; and it can be forgiven. No matter how vile the sin or the sinner, forgiveness is available if a person will just come to Jesus and ask, 1 John 1:9; Col. 2:13; 1 John 1:7; Isa. 1:18. When sin is brought to Him, He does away with it forever, Psa. 103:12; John 1:29; Heb. 9:26.
2. v. 29 The Sin That Can Never Be Forgiven
Having told us that all sin can be forgiven, Jesus now tells us that “blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness.” The word “blaspheme” means deliberately “to speak evil of”. The scribes were guilty of speaking evil of the Holy Ghost.
Observations
Jesus was healing the sick, casting out devils and preaching the Word of God all in the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus did not work in this world as God in the flesh, though He was. Jesus worked in this world as a Spirit filled man. When the scribes attributed the work of the Spirit to the devil, they were guilty of blaspheme against the Spirit. Jesus said they were in danger of committing a sin that could not be forgiven. The only way this sin could be committed today is for Jesus to be here in the flesh, doing the same works He was doing then. The unpardonable sin, as it is described in these verses, cannot be committed today! It is impossible to commit this sin today. Even if you could commit it, you would care. If you are concerned about the condition of your soul, you have not committed the unpardonable sin, because the Lord is still speaking to your heart!
See Also:
Promoting Goodness by Jose Kurian Puliyeril
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