The Life of Christ in the Synoptic Gospels
MALIGNANT UNBELIEF
The Life of Christ in the Synoptic Gospels
MALIGNANT UNBELIEF
Lesson Plan:
1. Jesus the Healer vs. Satan the Destroyer (vs 19, 20, 21)
2. Jesus the Son of God vs. His Slanderers (vs 22-27)
3. Jesus the Giver of the Holy Spirit vs. Blasphemers of the Holy Spirit (vs 28-30)
4. The Privilege of Belonging to the Family of Jesus (vs 31-35)
Lesson Setting:
Time: Probably in the autumn of 28 A.D.; a few weeks after the Sermon on the Mount
Place: Somewhere in Galilee, probably in Capernaum
Place in the Life of Christ: Toward the close of the second year of His ministry. The beginning
of the avowed opposition of the Jewish leaders
Patriotism (Jesus the Ideal Patriot - His Enemies Represent the Unpatriotic)
Introduction: June, 1910, College of the City of New York senior class presented to Mayor Gaynor an
'Ephebic' oath, engrossed on parchment, swearing as did the Athenian youths, never by act of theirs
to bring disgrace upon the city's name. Ephebi is a Greek word from Epi upon, and Eboi youth, and
was the name given to the Athenian youth when they became 18 years old. It signified the laying of
the new duties of manhood upon the young men. They were taken in charge by the state, armed with a
shield and spear, and given an education both physical and mental that would prepare them for the
duties of citizenship and the service of the state. They
were taken to a sanctuary at the base of the Citadel, at Athens, where they bound themselves by a
solemn oath to serve and defend the city and the state. The oath taken by that college class reads
thus: "We will never bring disgrace to this, our city, by any act of dishonesty or cowardice, nor
ever desert our suffering comrades in the ranks; we will fight for the ideals and sacred things of
the city, both alone and with many; we will incite a like respect and reverence in those above us
who are prone to annul and set them at naught; we will strive unceasingly to quicken the public's
sense of civic duty; that thus, in all these ways, we will transmit this city not only not less;
but greater, better and more beautiful than it was transmitted to us." What would happen if we all
make and kept such a promise to our home, our city, our schools, our country, to Christ and His
church? If it was good for those senior students to make and record such a promise long ago,
perhaps it would be good for you to think about applying such thoughts in your life and to Christ
and His kingdom. Can you truly say: (a) I will never bring disgrace to the church of our Lord. (b)
I will work for the ideals and sacred things of the Kingdom of God. (c) I will strive unceasingly
to quicken the public sense regarding Christian duty. (d) I will transmit the love of Christ and
the church of Jesus Christ not less. (e) But greater, better and more beautiful than it was
transmitted to me. As of July, 1999, the Boy Scouts of America number 4,700,000 with over 2,000,000
adult volunteers. They continue training boys to be patriotic citizens, and, in addition, to enjoy
an active life, always with a view to character building, manhood, with something to do, something
to think about, and something to enjoy. All these promise practically the same things:
To do my duty to God and my Country. To help other people at all times. To obey scout law, namely:
(a) A scout's honor is to be trusted. (b) A scout is loyal to his officers, his parents, his
country, his employers. (c) He is useful to and helps others. (d) He is a friend to all, and a
brother to every other scout, no matter to what social class he belongs. (e) He is courteous. (f)He
is a friend to animals. (g) He obeys orders, because it is his duty. (h) He is thrifty. (i) He
smiles and looks pleasant under all circumstances. In the light of all the serious needs in our
country today, we will study this lesson in the hope of enabling your Bible students to see more
clearly where they intend to stand, on which side of the dividing line, and why. Hopefully, you can
inspire
them to choose the patriot's life, and the patriot's reward in helping to make their country a part
of the Kingdom of God.
Scripture Reading: Mark 3:19-21 (also read Matt. 12:22)
1. Jesus the Healer vs. Satan the Destroyer
Jesus had preached the Sermon on the Mount, proclaiming the principles of the Kingdom which would change this world into 'heaven on earth.' Most of this Mark omits, and takes up the next epoch or turning point in the Life of Jesus.
v 19 ... "And they went into an house," better 'cometh home' from the Mount of Beatitudes. 'Home' may mean to Capernaum which was His home, or to a familiar house in the city. The multitude again thronged Him. His friends were anxious about Him, and they ...
v 21 ... "went out" perhaps from Nazareth where His family lived or from another part of the city "to lay hold on him." This states their start, but the incident of vs 22-30 fills the interval between their departure and their arrival, v 31. Matthew and Luke both tell us of the healing of the demoniac which led to the discussion beginning at Mark 3:22. Note: Everything Jesus did and taught was patriotic in the widest sense. It was altogether good for man. In the case of the demoniac He overcame evil, He removed the power that was destroying the man body and soul. Satan the Destroyer: He was not only the enemy of Jesus, but also of His country. He was ruining one who might be a good citizen, and through his victim injuring others. Demoniacs were all doubtless diseased. This one was also dumb and blind. It is no more strange that people may be influenced by evil spirits than by evil men; men whom we know are influencing others to the ruin of soul and body. The modern science of mind, of the power of suggestion, of hypnotism, of sub-conscious mind, is in perfect accord with this possibility. But no one can be harmed by them unless he wills. No human tempter can ruin any one unless he ceases to resist. Physical health renders people immune to catching disorders. Moral health can resist every evil influence. Scripture represents that there is a world of disembodied spirits, both good and bad; that they are not wholly separated from man, but exert a powerful influence upon him; that their influence is not a thing of the past, but that Christians still need to watch and pray against it. There are evil spirits of selfishness, lust, graft, intemperance, bad temper, pride; evil spirits embodied in human form, oppressing the poor and tempting the young, far more numerous, and far worse than all the demons in the demoniacs of Palestine. And every one of them is an enemy to his country. The demoniac is a visible expression of what evil spirits can do, to make us hate and oppose, and do all in our power to cast out every evil threatening our land today.
Scripture Reading: Mark 3:22-27 (also read Matt. 12:30)
2. Jesus the Son of God vs. His Slanderers
Jesus was a patriot: Because He was using the power of God dwelling within Him, for His country, even though He was slandered and bitterly opposed by powerful enemies who were ruining their country.
v 22 ... "And the scribes," and Pharisees (Matthew) "from Jerusalem" the stronghold of their influence.
v 22 ... "Said, He hath Beelzebub." The exact meaning of this name, or the Greek form Beelzebub, is unknown. Jerome calls him the 'chief of the Devils:' Cheyne renders 'Lord of the Mansion,' i.e., of the nether world, the dwelling place of demons; Lightfoot, 'Lord of Dung,' i.e., of refuse, of all that is vilest. He was "the prince of the devils," Greek of 'demons,' the rank and file of evil spirits. Jesus calls him Satan, the Adversary, the malignant Opposer of all that is good.
v 22 ... "And by the prince of the devils," under his control, casteth he out devils. The words appear to have been whispered by the Pharisees among the people. They were not addressed to Jesus.
v 23 ... "And he," knowing their thoughts (Matthew; Luke) "called them unto him" from the outskirts of the crowd to where He could converse with them, and the people could hear.
v 23 ... "Said unto them in parables," metaphors, brief illustrations, or analogies.
v 23 ... "How can Satan cast out Satan?" How can so sharp and shrewd a being work against himself, his own plans and purposes, his own nature? For the act of Jesus was not merely an act separated from His character, His deeds and teachings; for in that case Satan might have cast out a single devil in order to discredit Jesus. But in fact what Jesus did grew out of a character and life diametrically opposed to that of Satan, and always joined with the casting out of those He healed the nature, heart, and character of Satan. Such a work was absolutely impossible to Satan.
Two Illustrations: Jesus enforces His argument by two comparisons: (a) "If a kingdom be divided against itself" (v 24), etc. A nation or kingdom may embrace within itself infinite parties, divisions, discords, jealousies, and heart-burning; yet, if it is to subsist as a nation at all, it must not, regarding other nations, lose its sense of unity. The different factions fight one another instead of the common enemy. Many a nation has so perished. (b) "And if a house be divided" (v 25), etc. That is, the household of some large landholder, prince, or a business house. If some individual in the castle betrays their plans to an enemy, or if some are seeking to destroy the work which others are trying to do, there can be no prosperity.
Application: "And if Satan rise up against himself" (v 26). As is actually the case, provided the malicious imputation of the scribes be well founded. It is a most graphic picture. Satan rises up in all the panoply of his might to put himself down. In such a case Satan hath an end as king, as a ruler of power. Therefore, it is absurd to suppose that I, who am in every way seeking to destroy his kingdom, can be in league with him.
v 27 ... "No man can enter into a strong man's house," etc. The argument here is that Jesus by delivering the demoniac from the power of Satan had conquered Satan, and thus could not be his ally. By refusing to take part in the work of Christ, the Pharisees had joined the forces of the enemy. They were not on God's side; therefore they were against him. It was not Jesus but they who had entered into alliance with Satan. Matthew adds, "He that is not with me is against me, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth" (Matt. 12:30).
Scripture Reading: Mark 3:28-30
3. Jesus the Giver of the Holy Spirit vs. Blasphemers of the Holy Spirit
Jesus was the means through whom the Holy Spirit came abundantly upon man. He made men more receptive to this personal power of God. The Holy Spirit was and is the great power to make effective Jesus' work of Salvation, as manifested on Pentecost.
v 28 ... "All sins," all kinds and classes of sin "shall be forgiven," i.e., there is forgiveness through repentance for all sins except the one which is about to be mentioned.
v 28 ... "Blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme," even though they be against the Son of man Himself, meaning Christ in His life on earth. He, like other teachers and philanthropists, could be misunderstood and misjudged. There was much that was open to misconstruction. This was deplorable and sinful; but it does not prove an absolute and ineradicable malignant opposition to goodness.
v 29 ... "But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost" (R.V. 'Spirit') "hath never forgiveness," because it is a complete rejection of the only power that can awaken repentance. It means a fixed disposition or character. An opposition to Divine influence so persistent and deliberate, because of constant preference of darkness to light, that repentance and therefore forgiveness becomes impossible.
v 29 ... "but is in danger of eternal damnation" (R.V. 'guilty of an eternal sin'), a state of sin from which there is no hope of recovery, not because God is unwilling to forgive, or has no feelings of mercy toward such a sinner, but because one who thus sins against the Holy Spirit has put himself where no power can soften his heart or change his nature. A man may misuse his eyes and yet see; but whosoever puts them out can never see again. One may misdirect his mariner's compass, and turn it aside from the north pole by a magnet or piece of iron, and it may recover and point right again; but whosoever destroys the compass itself has lost his guide at sea.
v 30 ... "Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit." The scribes were confronted by the appeal of God's goodness in Jesus, and rather than yield to it they contrived a hideous explanation which should render it impotent. Is this so uncommon? Is it not common enough for men who are annoyed or reproved by the good deeds of others to ascribe such deeds to unworthy motives, so as to relieve the pressure with which they would otherwise bear on their own consciences? This is in essence the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. It is the sin of those who find out bad motives for good actions, so that goodness may be discredited, and its appeal perish, and they themselves live on undisturbed by its power. Jesus does not say that the Scribes had reached this point, beyond which there was no return, but they were perilously near it. Blasphemy against the Spirit: Following is a Christian scholar's personal view or opinion regarding this subject. While you may take exception, it is presented for the purpose of hopefully arousing further consideration and study on this very significant subject. The Bible speaks of a sin a brother may commit which is not unto death which we can pray about; it also speaks of a sin unto death that a brother may commit for which prayer is inappropriate (1 Jn. 5:16). In other words, we may offer intercessory prayers for a brother living in sin, but if the man dies while living in sin, prayers for him are not effective. The sinner will not be forgiven who dies in sin. Of course, John is speaking here of sins that are pardonable while one lives but unpardonable after one dies. John is not talking about an unpardonable sin committed by one who is still alive. His sin may be unpardoned, but it is not unpardonable as long as he lives. We say all this to exclude this approach to (the) question: It is not a Scripture one should turn to when struggling with the question of 'the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.' Jesus says 'the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven ... anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come' (Matt. 12:31-32). He is not speaking of a sin that has not yet been forgiven, but one that will not be forgiven now or anytime in the future; that is, a sin that will remain on that person's record forever – hence, 'an eternal sin' (Mk. 3:29). What is this terrible sin; why are the consequences of this sin so drastic? That which evoked Jesus' denouncement was the statement of the teachers of the law that He was performing His miracles by the power of Beelzebub, and that He had an evil spirit (Mk. 3:22-30). Note: (a) They did not question His identity. (b) They did not question His power. (c) So, knowing His identity and His power, they accused Him of doing the devil's work (using his power). We could go on with parallel passages, etc. However, consider the horror that would result if all people were won over to the belief that Jesus was who He claimed to be, that His miraculous powers were authentic - but He was working and teaching to further the cause of Satan, who was furnishing Him His power! There would be catastrophic upheaval. Truth would become lies; right would become wrong; love would become hate; righteousness would be a perversion; Satan would be God! This is what God cannot, because of His nature, and will not, because He has the power to prevent it, tolerate. The consequences of this state of things would nullify God's plan of redemption. Drastic situations require drastic measures. If one actually believes (a), (b), and (c) above, and announced these beliefs in order to discredit Jesus – they have committed a sin that will never be forgiven. This is not 'merely' a sin which is not yet forgiven, but would be forgiven if confessed and repented of. No. This sin will never be pardoned because it is unpardonable. Could this sin happen today? It could, if one wholeheartedly and sincerely subscribed to (a), (b), and (c) above.
Illustration: On the bank of the Niagara River, where the rapids begin to swell and swirl most desperately preparatory to their final plunge, is a sign board which bears startling words, 'Past Redemption Point.' To read it, even while one feels the firm soil beneath his feet sends a shiver of horror through one's soul as he looks off upon the turbulent waters, and realizes the full significance of the sign. The one who gets into those boiling rapids, and passes that point, cannot retrace his way, cannot be rescued by friends.
Scripture Reading: Mark 3:31-35
4. The Privilege of Belonging to the Family of Jesus
v 31 ... "His brethren and his mother ... standing without." They (starting in v 21) have now arrived. The Spirit in Jesus reacted with intense vehemence against the delusions and degradations of the possessed; Christian evangelists today often give emphasis to the peremptory and commanding words with which He delivered them. If there had not been a visible strain and excitement in such miracles it would probably never have occurred to His friends to say He was beside Himself.
v 34 ... "And he looked round about on them which sat about him," stretching forth His hand toward His disciples (Matthew) not only the twelve but all who were following Him in spirit and truth, He said "Behold my mother and my brethren!" Notice with what a stroke of divine genius Jesus changes what might have been an unpleasant episode, into an occasion for teaching one of the most blessed and glorious truths.
v 35 ... "For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister," one holy loving family, always on the right side, always children of God, always full of heavenly love, always true patriots to our country, because true to Christ, true to God, true to the kingdom of heaven.
Attractiveness of this privilege: As our Lord's brother and sister, we come into the closest relationship with Jesus, our elder brother. By it we become children and heirs of God, joint heirs with Christ, of a pure and holy nature, capable of infinite blessedness; all the wealth of heaven as our home, so perfect, so beautiful, so rich in every good; and the personal care and love of God Himself.
v 35 ... "And mother." Expressing the tenderest, purest, and deepest love on earth, the very ideal and type of love.
