The Family of God: Mark 3:20-35

Introduction

Insiders and outsiders. These are concepts we know all too well. In a small town, where everything moves a little bit slower, it is especially clear who is an insider and an outsider. How does one become an insider in a small town like Osceola? I would suggest that most of the time this can only be done by birth. If you are born here, then you are an insider. If you are not born here, then you are an outsider. You may be more welcomed or less welcomed, but you are an outsider.

Our text covers the themes of insiders and outsiders. However, it is not talking about insiders and outsiders as it relates to a small town, let alone Osceola. It is discussing insiders and outsiders as it relates to God’s family. It is much more essential to be a part of God’s family. Yet, we know that not everyone is a part of God’s family. So, how does one gain access to the family of God? This question among other things will be revealed as we study this passage. I will start by retelling and explaining the story. Then I will draw four applications from the story.

Before telling the story though, I would like to mention that a literary device used by Mark multiple times is used here. It is called intercalation, which means the “sandwiching” of one event between the beginning and end of another. The event that serves as the buns of the sandwich is explained by the event that serves as the meat.

Retell the Story

To begin with, we see that the blood relatives seek to seize Jesus (3:20-21).

After being on the mountain with the twelve, He called and empowered, Jesus, descended. He went to the home He resided in while He ministered in Capernaum. As it had happened before, a large crowd assembled. The presence of the crowd made it impossible for Jesus and His disciples to eat. News of such events came to the ears of Jesus' family back home in Nazareth. It seemed to them that Jesus had gone mad or crazy. So, they decided to seize him. In other words, they doubted Him and sought to bind Him from completing His mission. The accusation of madness from His family was to be followed by an even worse accusation before their arrival.

In addition to seeing the blood realtives seeking to seize Jesus, we see that the religious authorities desire to accuse Jesus (3:22-30).

The scribes from Jerusalem are among the crowd. They accuse the Lord Jesus of being possessed by "Beelzebul." This term has connections with the paganism of the past, particularly the worship and dominion of Baal. Here it is identified with Satan, that is the devil. The Scribes assert that Jesus cast out demons by the power of their prince. In their eyes, Jesus had powerfully exercised demons, yet His power came from Satan not God. The irony is that it is them, who are allies with Satan. Jesus' reply shows that the notion that He cast out demons by the spirit of Satan is absolutely foolish. He asks, "How can Satan, cast out Satan?" In parables, he shows that what is divided cannot stand. A kingdom or house divided against themselves will not stand. The same is true for Satan and his minions. Division would undermine their cause. Instead, Jesus sets Himself up as the stronger man who binds Satan, the strong man. Jesus has come to plunder the house of Satan.

Following the parables, Jesus puts the finger on the evil done by the Scribes. They show that they, not Him, are in league with Satan. All kinds of sin, according to Jesus, will be forgiven men. These forgiven sins will include blasphemies of various sorts. That is slanderous, irreverent, or false speech directed toward neighbor or God. However, there is a sin that will not receive forgiveness. It is a sin that neglects the path to pardon, and that demonstrates hardness heart. The one who "blasphemes the Holy Spirit is guilty an eternal sin." Mark explains what Jesus meant by blaspheming the Holy Spirit, "they were saying, 'He has an unclean spirit.'" They saw and knew the truth that stood in front of them in the Lord Jesus. They were aware of the foolishness of their accusations. But they still insisted in hardened hostility that the works done in the power of the Holy Spirit were done in the power of the spirit of Satan.

Jesus is not bound by Satan but has come to bind Him. To attribute His deeds to the power of Satan is a grievous offense.

Lastly, we see that the true family is identified by Jesus (3:31-35).

In our first scene, we learned that Jesus' family came to seize him, for they thought he was mad. Before they got there our second scene showed us that the Scribes sought to bind him to Satan. Now Jesus' family arrives on the scene. They are unable to get to him, so they send to Him and call Him. The crowd sitting around Jesus inform Him that His mother and brothers are outside. They are seeking to get him. Jesus reply is worth quoting. Look at verse 34 and 35, "And looking at those who sat around him, he said, 'Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.'"

Apply the Story

Remember how I stated at the beginning that not everyone is a part of God's family. Then I posed the question I believe the text answers: How does one gain access to the family of God? From the text, we learn that one doesn't gain access or become an insider of God's Kingdom or family through being a part of the religious establishment like the Scribes or by being a blood relatives of Jesus. It is by being with Jesus that a person becomes a part of God's family. To do the will of God which Jesus came to do is a sign of one’s godly heritage. The Scribes identified God's will as Satan's, and Jesus' family sought to hinder Him from completing His mission. Put simply and shortly, membership in God's family comes through Christ. This is the big idea of the message. From our text, I have drawn out two proper responses and two inappropriate responses to the big idea.

1. Membership in God's family comes through Christ, so trust in Him.

This application, which seems to receive treatment in every sermon I've preached in Mark, shouldn't shock you. Mark writes His gospel so that we would know who Jesus is and what He accomplished. Every word is inspired by the Spirit to draw our attention to King Jesus, who brings God's Kingdom to earth and overcomes the kingdom of darkness. Those who are apart of God's family are present with Jesus. They hear His call and respond in faith. They rely on His person and work for the forgiveness of sin, growth in holiness, and eternal life. Christian, you became a Christian by trusting in Jesus. My plea with you is to keep trusting in Him. Keep relying on Him. Keep holding on to Him. You need Him as much now as you did then. The longer I have been a Christian, the more I have realized I need Jesus. I pray that you would understand the same truth in your mind and your heart.

2. Membership in God's family comes through Christ, so don't misidentify Him.

Be careful not to commit the error of the Scribes. I'm not sure many people are tempted to accuse Jesus of being a pawn working by the power of Satan. That is literally what the Scribes did. They were the actual pawns of Satan. Though the exact error of the Scribes may not be common today, similar errors still exist. Some identify Jesus as a mere prophet, a political revolutionary, a cult leader, or a lunatic. Let us not attribute the works of Jesus and the growth of His Church to anything other than the powerful working of God through the person of the Holy Spirit.

3. Membership in God's family comes through Christ, so don't hinder Him.

This is the work of Jesus' family. They sought to snatch Him from His work. Peter would do something similar when he told Jesus He wouldn't be crucified. Jesus replied by saying, "Get behind me, Satan." Satan desires to undermine the mission of God's Son. He attempted this in the temptation of Jesus. Jesus triumphs over him every time. Jesus came to bring God's Kingdom. He established it in His death, life, and resurrection. Therefore, we should abstain from that which impedes His mission. We should avoid sin. We should avoid distractions. We should have tunnel vision that is directed on Christ and His will.

4. Membership in God's family comes through Christ, so submit to Him.

True faith in Christ produces fruits of grateful and humble obedience to Christ. Those who are members of Jesus’ family are those who do the will of God. That is what Jesus says in our text. They can be identified by a life that flows out of their confession that Jesus is Lord. Christian, you should understand that Jesus in His life and death has paid for your sins and given you His righteousness. Furthermore, His resurrection confirms these truths. Jesus commands and empowers you to by faith live in obedience with the moral law summarized in the ten commandments.

Individually, as professing Christians, and corporately, as a local church, we must submit ourselves to the mission of Christ. The Kingdom of God was proclaimed, demonstrated, and established in Jesus' first coming. It now expands through the work of the Church. We are called to make disciples. Let us preach the gospel and call unbelievers to trust in Jesus and equip converts to live in submission to Him.

Conclusion

Insiders and outsiders. You know these concepts, and you have likely been a member of both of these groups at one point or another. I'm an outsider of Osceola. Many of you are probably insiders. However, in the grand scheme of things how you relate to the community you live in is of little eternal consequence. What matters most is that you are an insider of God's family. This comes through Christ.

I have given much instruction to believers regarding this, but let me now extend an invitation to you unbeliever. Membership in God’s family come through Christ and Christ alone. Rely on His person as God the Son incarnate. He can be your representative as true man. He can pay your infinite sin debt as God the Son. Rely on His work as the one who lived in perfect righteousness, died as a substitute, rose victoriously as a testimony of God’s approval, ascended to God’s right hand where he reigns, and will return to complete what He began. Those who reject Christ will face the punishment they deserve. So, unbeliever, trust in Him. It is only in Him that outsiders of God’s family become insiders.

Vista Baptist Church, we will gather again soon. That will be a joyous occasion for sure. In the meantime, take heart in your union with God through Jesus Christ. Hold fast to your confession and seek to do God’s will by loving God and neighbor and by calling unbelievers to trust in Jesus Christ.

Membership in God’s family comes through Christ, so let us look to Him.