MARK LESSON 7
We will begin this lesson in Mark 3:20.
Mark 3:20 "And the multitude cometh together again, so that they
could not so much as eat bread."
We see, here, that the magnitude of the ministry was such and the
needs of the people were so great that Jesus would not stop to eat or
to rest His body.
Mark 3:21 "And when his friends heard [of it], they went out to
lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself."
These were well-meaning family and friends. They believed because
Jesus was working so very hard and not taking time for eating, that He
had driven Himself too far and was not thinking right. They tried to
force Him to rest. We, preachers, know this feeling, as well. Well-
meaning family and friends will get concerned about you and try to
stop you from doing something that you know you must do. God will fill
you with all the strength you need to fulfill the job He has chosen
for you to do. The enemies of the work are many times close friends
and family. Just as Jesus went on without their approval, that is what
we must do, too.
Mark 3:22 "And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said,
He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out
devils."
These scribes (ministers) of that day realized that Jesus was
able to cast out demons, and they were not able to cast them out. They
were grasping for some kind of answer why He was able to cast out
demons. They did not understand it, so they criticized. They even accused
Jesus of being of the devil.
Mark 3:23 "And he called them [unto him], and said unto them in
parables, How can Satan cast out Satan?"
Notice above, even though they were criticizing Jesus, they still
came when He told them to. This speaking in parables was so only His
followers would understand what He was saying. Not only how can Satan
cast out Satan, but why would Satan cast out Satan? This was, probably,
the most ridiculous statement they had made up until now. Notice that
Jesus did not deny that Satan existed. He just said that Satan and
Jesus were on opposite sides.
Mark 3:24 "And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that
kingdom cannot stand." Mark 3:25 "And if a house be divided against
itself, that house cannot stand."
This was all saying the very same thing. Divide and conquer is
just a simple way of saying this. The kingdom of God and the kingdom
of Satan are opposites. If Satan started throwing his own evil spirits
out of his victims, they would no longer be victims. We can easily see
that even Satan would not be so dumb. This house divided is along the
same line, but we see it so much in our society today. If mother and
dad are not in agreement, they are headed for divorce and the tearing
up of the home. Mother and dad should stand as one united, and then
they two could withstand the onslaught of the devil. One can put a
thousand to flight and two together can put ten thousand to
flight. Deuteronomy 32:30 "How should one chase a thousand, and two
put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the
LORD had shut them up?" You see, together we stand; divided, we fall.
Mark 3:26 "And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided,
he cannot stand, but hath an end." This is kind of like committing
suicide. If he is against himself, who is for him?
This was kind of like commiting suicide. If He was against Himself,
who was for Him?
Mark 3:27 "No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil
his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will
spoil his house."
In this parable, Jesus told us that if we are to successfully
defeat Satan, we must bind him before we come against him. Tie him up
with the name of Jesus and the blood of Jesus and render the demon
helpless before you throw him out. The two things that Satan is the
most afraid of are the name of Jesus and the blood of Jesus. This is
what defeated him at the cross. It is with the Spirit of God, in the
name of Jesus, and through the power of His shed blood that we cast
out demons.
Mark 3:28 "Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto
the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall
blaspheme:" Mark 3:29 "But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy
Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:"
These are, probably, the most controversial two verses in the
entire Bible. Many people believe that they have already sinned this
unforgivable sin against the Holy Ghost. I know people who believe
that because they have cursed and had the Lord's name attached to
the curse words, that they have committed the unforgivable sin. Some
believe because of the place this is located in the Scriptures that
these scribes and Pharisees committed this sin when they said that the
miracles Jesus was doing was from Satan. There are others who believe
to deny that the baptism of the Holy Ghost is for our day is a
unforgivable sin. I personally believe none of the above. I believe
verse 28 is true when it says ALL sins shall be forgiven unto the sons
of men. That is a separate statement from verse 29. My own
personal belief is that the sin can only be committed at death. This
Holy Ghost is the Spirit Jesus sends as a comforter to us to teach and
help us. When we reject Jesus Christ as our Saviour and die in that
state, we have totally rejected the Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost). I
believe this total rejection of Jesus and the Holy Ghost is what this
blasphemy is. I believe as long as there is breath in your body, and
you use that breath to ask Jesus to forgive you and send the Holy
Ghost, He will. We are all in danger of eternal damnation until we
repent and receive Jesus in our hearts.
Mark 3:30 "Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit."
These men had totally rejected Jesus and unless they repented,
this will be their fate. Even Paul said these terrible things for a
time, until he met Jesus on the road to Damascus.
Mark 3:31 "There came then his brethren and his mother, and,
standing without, sent unto him, calling him." Mark 3:32 And the
multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother
and thy brethren without seek for thee." Mark 3:33 "And he answered
them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren?" Mark 3:34 "And he
looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my
mother and my brethren!" Mark 3:35 "For whosoever shall do the will
of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother."
We see this whole scene was set up so that Jesus might teach us
about the family of God. All believers in Jesus Christ are sisters and
brothers in the family of God. Jesus is the only begotten Son of the
Father, but we also are children of the Father through adoption. We
have been grafted in to the tree. Jesus is our elder brother. We are
members of the family because of our faith in Jesus Christ. We have
been purchased with a price and have been presented to the Father by
Jesus Christ our Saviour. In Romans 8:14-17: Romans 8:14 For as many
as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." Romans
8:15 "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear;
but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba,
Father." Romans 8:16 "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our
spirit, that we are the children of God:" Romans 8:17 "And if
children, then heirs; heirs of God, and jointheirs with Christ; if so
be that we suffer with [him], that we may be also glorified together."
Our family, through blood line here on this earth, is what Mary and
Jesus' half-brothers were to Him. Jesus was explaining that the eternal
family (your sisters and brothers in Christ) is the true family. The
family of God.
Notes
Mark 7 Questions
1. There was such a multitude they could not ____________________
_______________.
2. Why did Jesus' friends and family try to lay hold on Him?
3. What were they trying to force Him to do?
4. What lesson can we modern preachers learn from this?
5. Who did the scribes that came from Jerusalem say He had?
6. How did they say He cast out devils?
7. What question did Jesus ask them when He called them to Him?
8. Why did He speak in parables?
9. What was the most ridiculous statement these scribes had made?
10. What happens if a kingdom is divided against itself?
11. What can we relate this "house divided" to in our society today?
12. In Deuteronomy 32:30, we find that one can put ____________
________________ to flight and two can put _____________
________________ to flight.
13. What would happen to Satan if he were divided?
14. How is the only way a man can enter into a strong man's house?
15. What are the two things we, Christians, must use to come against
Satan and his demons?
16. In verse 28, which sins will be forgiven?
17. In verse 29, what is the exception?
18. What is the most controversial issue in the Bible?
19. Name two beliefs (other than what the author believes) that are
thought to be the sin against the Holy Ghost.
20. What did Jesus send the Holy Ghost to believers as?
21. What does the author believe is the sin against the Holy Ghost?
22. Who was a famous penman of the Bible who rejected Jesus and the
Holy Ghost until he met Jesus on the road to Damascus?
23. Who came to see Jesus and called for Him to come outside to see
them?
24. What question did Jesus ask the people concerning this?
25. Who is the family of God made up of?
26. What was the purpose in Jesus' mother and brethren coming to see
Him?
27. In Romans 8:14, we read that who are the sons of God?
28. What do we call the Father when we have been adopted?
29. Verse 17 of Romans, chapter 8 tells us that we are joint
______________with Jesus.
Notes
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