Then His mother and His brothers arrived, and standing outside they sent word to Him and called Him. A crowd was sitting around Him, and they said to Him, "Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are outside looking for You." Answering them, He said, "Who are My mother and My brothers?" Looking about at those who were sitting around Him, He said, "Behold My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is My brother and sister and mother."
Earlier, two groups called Jesus “crazy”. The first group was “his own”, which was probably his family. Jesus’ family—his mother and brothers—are here to speak to him. Possibly, they wanted to take him home and keep him there (for this is how families dealt with family members who were insane). One way or the other, though, they had the authority to tell him to come out of whatever he was doing and to speak to them. Jesus, however, refused. He claimed that his true family are those who hear the word of God and do it. Here, he spoke specifically of his disciples who were listening to him. Thus, Jesus was communicating to his family, “You do not have the authority to call me out. Listen and do what I say, and then you will be my true family.” Jesus was not denying that his mother and brothers were his true family—but he was saying that only his disciples are his true family.
It is interesting to note that Jesus did not say that those who "believed" in him were his true family. Rather, those who did God's will. Not who tried to do God's will. Not who intended to do it. But actually did it.
This means that those who enact the will of God are Jesus' true family. Others may be seekers or hopers or longing for Jesus' family. But only those who do God's will are really the sisters and brothers of Jesus.
This does not mean perfection. This is why Jesus highly recommends repentance and confession of sin. But it does mean recognizing sin for what it is and doing all we can to get rid of it, as we will see.
Showing posts with label Mark 3. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mark 3. Show all posts
Friday, April 30, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Mark 3:23-29- Unforgivable
And He called them to Himself and began speaking to them 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 "—because they were saying, "He has an unclean spirit."
The accusation by the scribes from Jerusalem is the most serious one, and so Jesus deals with that one first in this longest speech in Mark thus far. It is serious both in its intensity and in its implications. To call Jesus a servant of “Beelzebul” or Satan is to imply that his work seems good, but is fundamentally working toward the detriment of God’s people. This is worse than what his family said, who was implying that it was a personal family problem that they would try to deal with—the scribes are saying that Jesus is destroying society itself. But also, because they were officials from Jerusalem, what they say has legal implications as well. They have the right to arrest him and charge him with evil done. This statement isn’t just a personal opinion, it is an official “government” report.
Jesus has a number of responses to this accusation, denying this “report”. His first response to the scribes is that Satan is a ruler of a kingdom and it makes no sense for a kingdom to battle itself. If Jesus was a servant of Satan, then how could he cast out demons, which is an act of war against the kingdom of Satan? Instead Jesus says, it is an act of an opposing warrior to tie up a warrior and to take his possessions—not the act of an ally. Jesus here is the one taking the person’s goods (the soul being attacked) and Satan and his demons is the “strong man”. “Strong man” is a title for a powerful warrior. Then Jesus says that the accusation the scribes make is a serious one. When a clear act of God is seen—releasing someone from judgement and the power of Satan by authority alone—and that act is said to be an act of Satan, then it is an act of blasphemy that cannot be forgiven.
Can we accidentally commit the unforgivable sin? If the sin in question is strictly calling Jesus filled with Satan, then perhaps we can't. But if the unforgivable sin is something broader, something that looks at God's good, powerful work of forgiveness and mercy and declares it evil... then maybe. But it seems that the unforgivable sin is really the sin of Pharaoh of old-- he hardened his heart against God's good work and His good command, and so God hardened his heart more. One can't be forgiven of declaring the Holy Spirit's work evil because God hardens that person's heart so that they never repent.
Ever meet someone who is so bitter against a Christian group, or a good person that no matter what you say to prove to them otherwise, they can't hear you? Those who reject God's obvious work are those who cannot repent. Perhaps someone else will be able to speak to them, but if you can't communicate, it's better to pray for God's mercy on them instead.
The accusation by the scribes from Jerusalem is the most serious one, and so Jesus deals with that one first in this longest speech in Mark thus far. It is serious both in its intensity and in its implications. To call Jesus a servant of “Beelzebul” or Satan is to imply that his work seems good, but is fundamentally working toward the detriment of God’s people. This is worse than what his family said, who was implying that it was a personal family problem that they would try to deal with—the scribes are saying that Jesus is destroying society itself. But also, because they were officials from Jerusalem, what they say has legal implications as well. They have the right to arrest him and charge him with evil done. This statement isn’t just a personal opinion, it is an official “government” report.
Jesus has a number of responses to this accusation, denying this “report”. His first response to the scribes is that Satan is a ruler of a kingdom and it makes no sense for a kingdom to battle itself. If Jesus was a servant of Satan, then how could he cast out demons, which is an act of war against the kingdom of Satan? Instead Jesus says, it is an act of an opposing warrior to tie up a warrior and to take his possessions—not the act of an ally. Jesus here is the one taking the person’s goods (the soul being attacked) and Satan and his demons is the “strong man”. “Strong man” is a title for a powerful warrior. Then Jesus says that the accusation the scribes make is a serious one. When a clear act of God is seen—releasing someone from judgement and the power of Satan by authority alone—and that act is said to be an act of Satan, then it is an act of blasphemy that cannot be forgiven.
Can we accidentally commit the unforgivable sin? If the sin in question is strictly calling Jesus filled with Satan, then perhaps we can't. But if the unforgivable sin is something broader, something that looks at God's good, powerful work of forgiveness and mercy and declares it evil... then maybe. But it seems that the unforgivable sin is really the sin of Pharaoh of old-- he hardened his heart against God's good work and His good command, and so God hardened his heart more. One can't be forgiven of declaring the Holy Spirit's work evil because God hardens that person's heart so that they never repent.
Ever meet someone who is so bitter against a Christian group, or a good person that no matter what you say to prove to them otherwise, they can't hear you? Those who reject God's obvious work are those who cannot repent. Perhaps someone else will be able to speak to them, but if you can't communicate, it's better to pray for God's mercy on them instead.
Mark 3:20-22- Loony Toony
And He came home, and the crowd gathered again, to such an extent that they could not even eat a meal. When His own people heard of this, they went out to take custody of Him; for they were saying, "He has lost His senses." The scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, "He is possessed by Beelzebul," and "He casts out the demons by the ruler of the demons."
Jesus returned to Capernum, where he was staying at Peter’s home (which is now called Jesus’ own home). He is teaching again, but he is rejected because of what he is saying and doing by two groups. The first group is called “his own”. This is usually used to designate one’s family, or in this case it might indicate some of Jesus’ disciples. The second group is the educated scribes, an official group that has come from the council in Jerusalem to see for themselves what they had heard rumors about. It is significant that a group came from Jerusalem, because it meant that it represented Jewish “orthodoxy” in that time, possibly appointed by the Sanhedrin—the ruling council of Judeans. Both groups, in their own way, call Jesus “crazy.” The first say that he is (in Greek) “lost control of himself”. The scribes say that his miracles are done by the power of “Beelzebul” a title for an idol that they use for Satan. This means that his teaching and his ministry was rejected both by his own people, and by an official group of religious leaders.
Most people consider being called "crazy" a bad thing. For Christians, however, being considered crazy or dangerous simply because of words we speak, is a way of being like Jesus.
Jesus returned to Capernum, where he was staying at Peter’s home (which is now called Jesus’ own home). He is teaching again, but he is rejected because of what he is saying and doing by two groups. The first group is called “his own”. This is usually used to designate one’s family, or in this case it might indicate some of Jesus’ disciples. The second group is the educated scribes, an official group that has come from the council in Jerusalem to see for themselves what they had heard rumors about. It is significant that a group came from Jerusalem, because it meant that it represented Jewish “orthodoxy” in that time, possibly appointed by the Sanhedrin—the ruling council of Judeans. Both groups, in their own way, call Jesus “crazy.” The first say that he is (in Greek) “lost control of himself”. The scribes say that his miracles are done by the power of “Beelzebul” a title for an idol that they use for Satan. This means that his teaching and his ministry was rejected both by his own people, and by an official group of religious leaders.
Most people consider being called "crazy" a bad thing. For Christians, however, being considered crazy or dangerous simply because of words we speak, is a way of being like Jesus.
Mark 3:13-19: Apostles
And He went up on the mountain and summoned those whom He Himself wanted, and they came to Him. And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach, and to have authority to cast out the demons. And He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom He gave the name Peter), and James, the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James (to them He gave the name Boanerges, which means, "Sons of Thunder "); and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot; and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Him.
Jesus appointed twelve apostles. The term “apostle” literally means “one who is sent” and it designates one who is an official representative of an authority. Kings sent out apostles, or “heralds” to give people official news. The ruling council of the Jews also sent out apostles to communicate to all the synagogues in the world any official news or decisions. Jesus chose twelve of them because each one represented the twelve tribes of Israel—to preach to them and to rule over them (Matthew 10:5; 19:28).
The church rarely understands how important the apostles are to us. We are not just disciples of Jesus, but disciples of the apostles. It is the apostles who communicate to us the truth about Jesus, who interpret Jesus for us. We are as submissive to them as we are to Jesus.
The problem comes in when we play one apostle against another. Yes, it is possible for apostles to disagree, but we must not accept one apostle's teaching as more true than another. Rather, they are all under Jesus, and we must accept them all. This is why we have four gospels which sometimes disagree. This is why we have epistles by different writers who look at the life and teaching of Jesus differently. We do not need to accept the teaching of those who are not apostles, but apostolic teaching should be accepted and analyzed to understand where they do agree. The agreement of the apostles is the closest we will come to Jesus' original life and teaching.
Jesus appointed twelve apostles. The term “apostle” literally means “one who is sent” and it designates one who is an official representative of an authority. Kings sent out apostles, or “heralds” to give people official news. The ruling council of the Jews also sent out apostles to communicate to all the synagogues in the world any official news or decisions. Jesus chose twelve of them because each one represented the twelve tribes of Israel—to preach to them and to rule over them (Matthew 10:5; 19:28).
The church rarely understands how important the apostles are to us. We are not just disciples of Jesus, but disciples of the apostles. It is the apostles who communicate to us the truth about Jesus, who interpret Jesus for us. We are as submissive to them as we are to Jesus.
The problem comes in when we play one apostle against another. Yes, it is possible for apostles to disagree, but we must not accept one apostle's teaching as more true than another. Rather, they are all under Jesus, and we must accept them all. This is why we have four gospels which sometimes disagree. This is why we have epistles by different writers who look at the life and teaching of Jesus differently. We do not need to accept the teaching of those who are not apostles, but apostolic teaching should be accepted and analyzed to understand where they do agree. The agreement of the apostles is the closest we will come to Jesus' original life and teaching.
Mark 3:7-12-- Jesus' Work and Humility
Jesus withdrew to the sea with His disciples; and a great multitude from Galilee followed; and also from Judea, and from Jerusalem, and from Idumea, and beyond the Jordan, and the vicinity of Tyre and Sidon, a great number of people heard of all that He was doing and came to Him. And He told His disciples that a boat should stand ready for Him because of the crowd, so that they would not crowd Him; for He had healed many, with the result that all those who had afflictions pressed around Him in order to touch Him. Whenever the unclean spirits saw Him, they would fall down before Him and shout, "You are the Son of God!" And He earnestly warned them not to tell who He was.
This is a summary of Jesus’ ministry, as stated already. Many people from different places are coming to gain healing from him and to learn his teaching. Although these people are coming from such a variety of places—some of which are Gentile regions— they are religiously all Jews, committed to the covenant of Moses. The crowds made it difficult for Jesus to teach, and so he sometimes taught from a boat, or just sailed away to escape the large crowds. Again, the spirits who were attacking people because of their sins were trying to expose Jesus, but Jesus wanted his identity well-known in the spirit world to be kept quiet on earth.
Jesus wanted his identity to be kept secret because he was told by God that he was the Son of God in a secret manner. He had no right to announce boldly who the Father said who He was until the Father told him to. He acted like He was the Son of God, the Messiah. He acted like the healing king supporting the poor wherever he want. And some recognized his actions for what they were. But he remained quiet and asked others to do the same.
Even so, we need to remain silent about our gifts and the things God has told us. We can tell a select few, but we must not proclaim that which is told privately to us. If it is told privately, then it is to remain private. This is a part of our humility, a part of our submission to God.
This is a summary of Jesus’ ministry, as stated already. Many people from different places are coming to gain healing from him and to learn his teaching. Although these people are coming from such a variety of places—some of which are Gentile regions— they are religiously all Jews, committed to the covenant of Moses. The crowds made it difficult for Jesus to teach, and so he sometimes taught from a boat, or just sailed away to escape the large crowds. Again, the spirits who were attacking people because of their sins were trying to expose Jesus, but Jesus wanted his identity well-known in the spirit world to be kept quiet on earth.
Jesus wanted his identity to be kept secret because he was told by God that he was the Son of God in a secret manner. He had no right to announce boldly who the Father said who He was until the Father told him to. He acted like He was the Son of God, the Messiah. He acted like the healing king supporting the poor wherever he want. And some recognized his actions for what they were. But he remained quiet and asked others to do the same.
Even so, we need to remain silent about our gifts and the things God has told us. We can tell a select few, but we must not proclaim that which is told privately to us. If it is told privately, then it is to remain private. This is a part of our humility, a part of our submission to God.
Mark 3:1-6: Working on the Sabbath
He entered again into a synagogue; and a man was there whose hand was withered. They were watching Him to see if He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. He said to the man with the withered hand, "Get up and come forward!" And He said to them, "Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save a life or to kill?" But they kept silent. After looking around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately began conspiring with the Herodians against Him, as to how they might destroy Him.
As was his usual practice, Jesus is prepared to teach in a synagogue, and there is a man who needs to be healed. The Pharisees were ready to accuse him of breaking the Sabbath, because he was about to do his usual “work”—healing the sick, which allows him to be fed. They saw Jesus’ ministry as a “job” that he needed to cease on the Sabbath day. Jesus challenged them, showing that he saw his ministry as simply doing good to whoever as had need, and that the Sabbath day was a day to do good, even as any other day of the week is. Their silence in response to his question was a challenge right back to Jesus. Jesus was furious, then and called the man in front of everyone there, and healed him openly, in defiance of the Pharisee’s tradition.
The Pharisees were extremely upset and began making plans to destroy Jesus. Why? Because, first of all, he made it clear that he opposed their political agenda to have all of Israel live out a strict Sabbath. Secondly, Jesus showed himself to be in rebellion against their laws of the Sabbath—and breaking that law was punishable by death (Exodus 31:15). Thirdly, Jesus was popular, and getting more popular all the time, and so he might be a political rival against the Pharisees, at least in Galilee.
The Herodians were servants of the house of Herod, who was interested in retaining their political control over Jewish territory, especially Galilee. Jesus was already a threat to Herod, because his message of the kingdom was in opposition to all current rulers of God’s people—including the Herods.
Most people consider the Sabbath to be a matter of not working. To get some rest, to offer balance in life. Jesus, however isn't interested in a balanced life, and He sees the Sabbath differently. The Sabbath is to cease working for oneself, but it is not to stop working for others. In fact, Jesus says, the Sabbath is specifically a good time to work for others.
Therefore, rather than taking Sunday (or Saturday, as that is truly the Sabbath, the seventh day) as a day to go to church and to watch football, the followers of Jesus will see this as a day to volunteer to do good for those in need. The Sabbath isn't for resting, but for doing good.
Note on other thing, please. Jesus defines "doing good" or love here by opposing it to their opposites. To do harm to someone is the opposite of doing good. And to do good is the same as saving a life, the opposite of which is to kill. Thus, love cannot be included in doing harm or by killing. So when Jesus says to love our enemies, we cannot love and kill. We cannot love and harm. When we decide what to do with our enemies, we must remember that harming them is not Jesus' way. If we claim it is, then we only do harm to ourselves.
As was his usual practice, Jesus is prepared to teach in a synagogue, and there is a man who needs to be healed. The Pharisees were ready to accuse him of breaking the Sabbath, because he was about to do his usual “work”—healing the sick, which allows him to be fed. They saw Jesus’ ministry as a “job” that he needed to cease on the Sabbath day. Jesus challenged them, showing that he saw his ministry as simply doing good to whoever as had need, and that the Sabbath day was a day to do good, even as any other day of the week is. Their silence in response to his question was a challenge right back to Jesus. Jesus was furious, then and called the man in front of everyone there, and healed him openly, in defiance of the Pharisee’s tradition.
The Pharisees were extremely upset and began making plans to destroy Jesus. Why? Because, first of all, he made it clear that he opposed their political agenda to have all of Israel live out a strict Sabbath. Secondly, Jesus showed himself to be in rebellion against their laws of the Sabbath—and breaking that law was punishable by death (Exodus 31:15). Thirdly, Jesus was popular, and getting more popular all the time, and so he might be a political rival against the Pharisees, at least in Galilee.
The Herodians were servants of the house of Herod, who was interested in retaining their political control over Jewish territory, especially Galilee. Jesus was already a threat to Herod, because his message of the kingdom was in opposition to all current rulers of God’s people—including the Herods.
Most people consider the Sabbath to be a matter of not working. To get some rest, to offer balance in life. Jesus, however isn't interested in a balanced life, and He sees the Sabbath differently. The Sabbath is to cease working for oneself, but it is not to stop working for others. In fact, Jesus says, the Sabbath is specifically a good time to work for others.
Therefore, rather than taking Sunday (or Saturday, as that is truly the Sabbath, the seventh day) as a day to go to church and to watch football, the followers of Jesus will see this as a day to volunteer to do good for those in need. The Sabbath isn't for resting, but for doing good.
Note on other thing, please. Jesus defines "doing good" or love here by opposing it to their opposites. To do harm to someone is the opposite of doing good. And to do good is the same as saving a life, the opposite of which is to kill. Thus, love cannot be included in doing harm or by killing. So when Jesus says to love our enemies, we cannot love and kill. We cannot love and harm. When we decide what to do with our enemies, we must remember that harming them is not Jesus' way. If we claim it is, then we only do harm to ourselves.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)