Mark 3:20-30 (CLICK HERE FOR BIBLE VERSES)
Hi GAMErs,
Today’s passage is Mark 3:20-30. With an open mind and a humble heart, read this passage and see what sticks out to you in this passage. Is there a verse, a phrase, or a lesson you think the Holy Spirit may be highlighting for you in this passage? After you’ve thought about the passage yourself a bit, read the GAME sharing below. Let’s go!
Mark 3:20-22 (NIV)
20 Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat.
21 When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”
22 And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebub! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.”
On verses 20-22: In our day a lot of people long to be famous. But here we learn something about fame from the most famous person of all, Jesus Christ: fame is a double-edged sword. For example:
– You may have crowds that love you, but you’ll also find it difficult to have a normal life because of it. For example, Jesus couldn’t eat his meal because there were people crowding him and clamoring for his attention (v20).
– People whom you thought would always have your back may end up misunderstanding you and trying to control you, just like Jesus’ family who said he was out of his mind (v21).
– You may have many that love you, but you’ll also have your share of critics who will dislike and criticize you no matter what you do and without really knowing you (v22).
– When you’re famous, you may have influence and power that others do not have, but you’ll also have a target on your back that others don’t have too.
Let these verses be a sobering reminder that fame is not all that people make it out to be. Don’t put your hope in fame. Whether you’re loved by a few or by millions, know that it doesn’t change your worth in the sight of God, who gave His life for you when nobody knew about you except Him.
Mark 3:23-30 (NIV)
23 So Jesus called them and spoke to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan?
24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
25 If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.
26 And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come.
27 In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can rob his house.
28 I tell you the truth, all the sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven them.
29 But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin.”
30 He said this because they were saying, “He has an evil spirit.”
On verses 23-30: Critics claimed that Jesus was only able to perform incredible miracles like healing the sick and driving out evil spirits because Jesus himself was empowered by an evil spirit. Jesus responds by showing that his critics’ reasoning was illogical and did not make sense: “How can Satan drive out Satan?” If Satan’s own team was so divided, Satan wouldn’t be such a force to be reckoned with.
The reason Jesus is able to drive out demons and advance against Satan’s kingdom is not because he is with Satan but because He is stronger than Satan. Jesus does it by binding “the strong man” (i.e. Satan), entering the strong man’s house (i.e. Satan’s territory) and carrying off his possessions (i.e. the people that were under Satan’s bondage).
Rather than working with Satan, Jesus was coming against Satan. To keep thinking otherwise and to attribute Jesus’ work to Satan is blasphemy (making disrespectful and false statements about God) (v28-29). It is a serious sin to attribute Jesus’ work to his enemy, so don’t confuse the work of Jesus with the work of Satan.
Father, thank You that when we were bound to a strong man called Satan, Someone stronger – Your Son Jesus – came, tied Satan up, and set us free. Thank You that long before anyone knew me, You knew me and You loved me. Thank You that I belong to Someone stronger. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
copyright © 2022 Justin Lim. All rights reserved.
