Mark 3
Notes
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Introduction
Introduction
Proud parents of newborns always look for family resemblances that identify the child as theirs; so too our relationship with Christ identifies us a part of His family.
Theme of Mark: Suffering Servant
Mark is a book of action, it constantly shows Jesus in action
Key phrase: immediately
First Audience: Gentiles
Key phrase of this Passage: “they said”
We will people saying things to Jesus, and Jesus responding with truth.
Theme of this passage: Faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God (His authority)
This section of Mark develops the general theme of rejection of Jesus’ authority
Christ was constantly being criticized for showing the people who He truly was, and for seeking to accomplish His Father’s will. In today’s age and throughout history, people have been criticized for obeying God.
And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.
Paul when he was testifying for God
Acts
Then Jehu came forth to the servants of his lord: and one said unto him, Is all well? wherefore came this mad fellow to thee? And he said unto them, Ye know the man, and his communication.
- When a prophet came to anoint Jehu
“Crazy Moody” throughout the city of Chicago
As we live an increasing hostile environment towards Christianity, we must make sure we are grounded in whom we are answering to, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus calls believers to be marked by doing God’s will.
Undivided House (23-30)
Undivided House (23-30)
The Accusation: `19b-22
Jesus had just selected His disciples.
He has started preaching to crowds more regularly
The Scribes had travelled 120 miles from Jerusalem.
Jesus challenged their unbelief by saying that only the power of God could cast out evil spirits. They were unable to deny His authority bust still refused to attribute His miracle to the power of God. They than blamed it on
Jesus gave them every reason to believe! They heard of his baptism, miraculous healings, powerful teaching, and his teaching was a direct fulfillment of prophecy
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, There is none that doeth good.
Why do you think the Scribes refused to believe?
They couldn’t attribute His works to God, so they blamed Satan for the works of God!
Jesus responds to this accusation with a question and a parable. (v. 23)
How does Jesus question refute their argument?
Jesus often used questions to help reframe an issue. Jesus would often do this to point out the flaws in false accusations such as this. Jesus’ answer revealed how empty the attack really was.
Question: How could Satan cast out Satan?
Jesus than uses a more popular form of teaching: a parable.
What is a parable?
“earthly story with an heavenly meaning”
Greek: Parabole - a comparison.
Jesus used a familiar situation to teach them spiritual truths
teaching tool: learned — unlearned
Three Brief Parables:
Divided Kingdom (v. 24)
The Jews knew their history very well. Jesus was making a reference to when the Kingdom was divided after the death of King Solomon. Jereboam succeeded in dividing the kingdom, and the resulting kingdoms were significantly weakened
Divided House (v. 25)
This refers to when a husband and wife are divided, that house cannot stand.
Both of these illustrations picture common human circumstances.
“A house divided against itself, cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure, permanently, half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved — I do not expect the house to fall — but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing or all the other.” - Abraham Lincoln
If Satan rises up against himself, he is divided. His evil works would be doomed to failure. (v. 26)
These same truths can be applied to us. If our church is divided, then we will not stand. We must find unity in our faith in Jesus Christ.
A House Ravaged (v. 27) What do you think this parable is communicating?
Jesus was illustrating His ultimate power and supremacy
The Strong Man represents Satan, and the intruder represents Jesus
Someone cannot go into a house to ravage it without first tying up the strong man of the house.
Jesus is saying he is more powerful than Satan and will ravage his possessions.
Lasting truth: Jesus Christ is stronger than any other.
O Lord God of hosts, Who is a strong Lord like unto thee? Or to thy faithfulness round about thee?
Though Satan roams about as a “roaring lion,” we should not fear. God is stronger than Satan, and we must find rest in that.
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Can someone explain to me briefly how these parables refute the claims of the Scribes?
v. 28
Jesus now shifts his focus from His response to the Scribes accusations to the spiritual condition of those listening.
Jesus states that He is willing to for give people of all sins. Even the worst of sins God promises to be forgiven. God is always focused on the spiritual condition of those He ministers too. Remember last weeks lesson on how the Scribes responded to Jesus claim to forgive sins.
vv. 29-30
The Unpardonable Sin — What is it?
This sin occurs when a person blasphemes against the Holy Ghost. We see that the Scribes were guilty of this because they attributed His miracles to Satan. People who attribute God’s work as works of Satan are spiritually bankrupt, and will never repent. This sin is eternal because they cannot accept the remedy of sin.
“At its core, this sin is denying the Holy Spirit’s influence and remaining steadfast in unbelief.” - Stephen Chappell, Lessons From the Road
This sin can be summed up in the word “unbelief.”
The phrase “they said” implies habitual action: “they kept on saying.” This means that this sin is referring to those who continually reject the works of the Holy Spirit. The Scribes and Pharisees here were accusing the holy, sinless Son of God, was working miracles because He had an unclean spirit.
The Debate: Can this sin still be committed today?
How?
In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
Transition: In addition to the charges of the scribes, Jesus’ own physical family misunderstood His words and actions.
Misunderstood By Family
Misunderstood By Family
vv. 31-32
Commentators believe that Jesus’ family did not understand what Jesus was doing. They were on the outskirts of the crowd getting His attention potentially to try and pull Him away. They may have been worried about Him or they may have been embarrassed by Him. Either way, they wanted to interrupt the ministry that God had called Him to fulfill.
siblings of Jesus? James, Joses, Judas, and Simon (Listed later on in Mark)
Does anyone know what happens to His step-father, Joseph?
Jude and James are books written by Jesus’ half siblings.
Jesus was not deterred by their confusion. Our friends and family may not understand what we are doing, but we must always obey God.
And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
United By Purpose
United By Purpose
vv. 33-35
Again, we see Jesus using questions to prick the minds of his listeners. This was to get them to think beyond the surface level.
Jesus was appealing to the family relationship, because of its importance in Jewish culture. “blood relatives” were practically considered supremely important as far as one’s identity goes. Matthew and Luke include Jesus’ genealogies.
When Jesus claimed He was the “Son of God,” He was claiming equality with God. He was appealing to the identity that the Jews found there. That is why the Pharisees got so offended.
Though our loyalty should be significant to our earthly family, it must be supremely loyal to our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ changed the definition of what it means to be family. Family is now understood as those who are united with Jesus and His purposes.
Jesus’ teaching was considered radical because it challenged the common understanding of a basic human institution.
For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
In order to become a part of this family we must do the will of God. The person who does the will of God is the person who has placed his faith in Christ and loves Him supremely.
Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
If ye love me, keep my commandments.
It is encouraging to know that to be a part of the family of God is not a matter of genetics but of following the will of the Father
Ask: How does being members of God’s family affect our daily lives?
Conclusion
Conclusion