(This message was preached at Covenant Reformed Baptist Church on Wed. eve, 10/4/2017)
THESIS:
Unbelief makes fools out of the very most learned of men – seek Christ and be
truly wise!
This evening we’ll be considering Mark 3:19b-35
And
they went into a house. 20 Then the multitude came together
again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. 21 But when
His own people heard about this, they went out to lay hold of Him, for they
said, “He is out of His mind.”
22 And
the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, “He has Beelzebub,” and, “By the
ruler of the demons He casts out demons.”
23 So He
called them to Himself and said to them in parables: “How can Satan cast out
Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom
cannot stand. 25 And if a house is divided against itself, that
house cannot stand. 26 And if Satan has risen up against
himself, and is divided, he cannot stand, but has an end. 27 No
one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds
the strong man. And then he will plunder his house.
28 “Assuredly,
I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever
blasphemies they may utter; 29 but he who blasphemes against
the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation”—30 because
they said, “He has an unclean spirit.”
31 Then
His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside they sent to Him,
calling Him. 32 And a multitude was sitting around Him; and
they said to Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are outside seeking
You.”
33 But
He answered them, saying, “Who is My mother, or My brothers?” 34 And
He looked around in a circle at those who sat about Him, and said, “Here are My
mother and My brothers! 35 For whoever does the will of God is
My brother and My sister and mother.”[1]
The literary tool Mark uses is called by a variety of
terms (Chiasm or Intercalation), but I like the simple term insertion. Mark takes one
account and inserts it into another account. In our case the first account is
of his own people seeking to take hold of Him. And the second account is of the
Scribes who accuse Him of being in league with Satan. As for the meaning of
insertion, there was some variation, but the intent was generally to tie the
two seemingly distinct events together theologically. So what that means for us
is that tonight we will be considering that theological base and what emphases
it brings to the two accounts. In later sermons we’ll deal specifically with
the Scribes and their accusation and also the sin of Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.
But what do these two accounts share theologically?
Consider the fact that Jesus was accused in both accounts. His family thought
he had lost His mind, and the Scribes thought He was in league with Satan!
Neither accusation was flattering. In both accounts, Jesus ably defends himself
and even shows the weakness of their arguments.
The fact that Jesus was not at all out of His mind, is
shown in his clear logical response to the Scribes. So the one account informs
us on the other account. Jesus’ own family didn’t even know Him! They couldn’t
grasp his purpose or plan. What most struck me is that fact that earlier in
Jesus life, first while in the womb, and later at the temple when He was 12, Mary
seemed to show to that of an understanding heart – however we see that it was
not at all a clear matter to her. Who this son of
hers was, and why He came was still a great enigma. We read that in
response to the angel’s announcement in Luke 1:29 she was
troubled and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be?
When the shepherds came to worship the baby, we are told that she ‘kept all these things and pondered them in her heart’
(Luke 2:19). After Simeon came and
blessed the child we read in Luke 2:34, “And
Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him.[2]” Also when he was 12 and
had been left behind in Jerusalem we read that his earthly parents didn’t
understand him when he told them, Did you not know that
I must be about my Fathers business? (Luke 2:49)
And by the way, what is so upsetting about his being
in a crowd that He couldn’t eat? Let me remind you of the culture and place
Jesus was ministering in. The darkness of Galilee – the demonic possession and
great many illnesses people bore. Into this dark backwater place Jesus erupts
on the scene with literal healing in his hands and even in the hem of his
clothing. He made what seemed to be outlandish claims that prophecy was being
fulfilled in their presence. He was identified as the
Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world by his cousin, John. And
this drew crowds. But these were not those who knew him. What about those who
knew him? What happened in Nazareth?
We read in Matt. 13:54 – 58,
“When He had
come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were
astonished and said, “Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty
works? 55 Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother
called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? 56 And
His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these
things?” 57 So they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to
them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own
house.” 58 Now He did not do many mighty works there because of
their unbelief.[3]”
Unbelief had hardened them to the truth.
Listen to the almost mocking way that his brothers speak to Him in John 7,
Now the Jews’ Feast of
Tabernacles was at hand. 3 His brothers therefore said to Him,
“Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works
that You are doing. 4 For no one does anything in secret while
he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to
the world.” 5 For even His brothers did not believe in Him.[4]
So is it any wonder at all that his family
thinks he is going mad? They lived with him as a pious Jewish carpenter for 30
years. And even though there were some great and significant events in his
arrival 30 years earlier, they were not reckoned as significant any longer –
even in Mary’s heart and mind.
His family came to ‘lay hold of Him’ we
read in verse 21. The Greek word κρατέω kratĕō
here is a strong word often
translated ‘to arrest’ or ‘to seize’.
They were coming for him – to do what a family might do – Let’s get Him
out of there before he does something really crazy! In fact the next
significant Greek word, ἐξίστημι ĕxistēmi means
exactly that – they were afraid he’d gone insane! He’s bewitched by his own
power and now isn’t even eating!
This is the backdrop
Mark paints as he now begins to insert the Scribes and their accusation. And if
the family paints a picture of Christ as insane – the Scribes go a step further
and declare him to be the demoniac! By the prince of demons you cast out
demons!
Do you see how much more
sinister the accusation made by the Scribes was? Here we have the very Son of
God – the Anointed One of Israel in the flesh – and they can’t see the works as
pointing out Messiah. But they see them as pointing out the Devil! If the family was deceived by unbelief, how
much more these Scribes by evil intent make their
accusations!
It’s important to see
the Scribes in this passage for what they were. These men had no excuse
whatsoever for making their claims. As a matter of fact – the evidence of
Jesus’ miracles, sight to the blind, healing of the lame, raising the dead –
these very things – were to be the identifiers of the Messiah! I know that I
tend to beat a dead horse on this but don’t forget what John the Baptizer was
told when he inquired of Christ, Are you the One, or
should we look for another? We read in Luke 7,
And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and
evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight. 22 Jesus
answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things you have seen and
heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf
hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them. 23 And
blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”[5]
These are the very same things he had been doing all over Galilee! It
was this activity to which he referred when he declared in the Synagogue in
Nazareth that Isa. 49:8-9 was being fulfilled in their hearing! 30 years
earlier – WITHOUT all this evidence Simeon and Anna were waiting for Him in
expectation. They knew what to look for!
That’s why I say these Scribes were without excuse! They had the
prophecies, and the evidence was laid before them! They not only rejected it in
unbelief, but they went further than that – they called him out as antichrist!
You cast out devils by the prince of devils!
In the parallel account which we find in Matthew 12:27 Christ not only
uses logic to destroy their accusation, he exposes their hypocrisy:
And if I cast out
demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall
be your judges.[6]
Why did they
make such a foolish accusation? What drove such learned men to be such fools as
to actually accuse the very Christ of God to be in league with Satan? Consider
the following passages – John 7,
And many of the people
believed in Him, and said, “When the Christ comes, will He do more signs than
these which this Man has done?”[7]
Matt. 12:22-24:
Then one was brought
to Him who was demon-possessed, blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the
blind and mute man both spoke and saw. 23 And all the multitudes
were amazed and said, “Could this be the
Son of David?” 24 Now when the Pharisees heard it they
said, “This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of
the demons.”
Do you see
how the multitudes easily connected such a healing by Jesus to the Christ of
God? They got it right. This teaching was not new. The Scribes themselves
taught it!
Matt. 12:24
begins, Now when the Pharisees heard…They heard
the multitudes reasoning out the matter and pointing to Jesus as the Christ. Then
they made their blasphemous accusation. It was out of envy. It was out of
malice. It was spite that drove them to such irrational accusations.
Folks – Don’t you see – His family came to get him because they said He is out of his mind, yet it was the very Scribes and Pharisees who were out of their mind! They were the insane ones. They were the ones to accuse God incarnate of being in league with Satan!
Folks – Don’t you see – His family came to get him because they said He is out of his mind, yet it was the very Scribes and Pharisees who were out of their mind! They were the insane ones. They were the ones to accuse God incarnate of being in league with Satan!
…
I began this message referencing a literary tool called insertion.
Let’s now look at verses 31 – 35, and return to the primary or first account.
Jesus’ earthly family arrived but due to the crowd couldn’t even get
close to him. Remember, they were there to arrest him as it were – to lay hands
on him. But the crowd was actually Christ’s best defense!
So they send word through the crowd and Jesus’ response should actually
warm your heart – if you are a believer. You see him look around at those
seated at his feet – Behold my mother and brothers!
Whoever does the will of God, He is my brother and sister and mother.
This leads me
to my challenge to you this evening. Are you doing the will of God? And what – of all the
things we could be doing for Him – is most important?
Look at the
very familiar account of Mary and Martha. Both were busy about the Lord. One
was seated at his feet studying Him, and one was serving Him. And we do tend to
discount service sometimes because of Martha’s impetuousness. But remember,
Christ never rebuked her work, he rather exalted Mary by stating that in His Kingdom
– knowing the King was more important than serving the King.
In fact when
I learned the answer to the first Catechism question, What is the chief end of man? I marveled at the answer, Man’s
chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever. I marveled because in my mind I had
answered the question like this, Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to serve
him forever. Do you see the subtle way we move into works and deeds?
And isn’t
this reality of relationship put into great relief when we think of the Scribes
and Pharisees and how of all men, they should have recognized him! They should
have been at his feet! They should have been willing to be in the position of
humility.
Brothers
& Sisters – Can I ask you, Do you spend more time learning from and studying the
Saviour – or is your hallmark staying busy for the Lord in service? Mary has
chosen the better portion. Do you look intently into the Word of
God, regularly or is something always sidetracking you? How’s your prayer life?
Is it vital and living? Do you find it something you long to do, or is it a
difficult matter? You see, a relationship takes work. And it is a two way
street. We must listen to the Lord, and let the Word examine us – and we also
must go to the Lord of that Word, to praise, adore and petition him.
What are some
of the ways you can use to establish a better relationship with the King? I
would like to point you to 3 ways you can know our Lord better. Truthfully
these are just some of the means of Grace.
1.
We have
the Word itself. Read it. Study it. Search it out – live in it! Make the
Scriptures the most precious thing you have! Think of how it would be if you
had a friend who never let you get in a word? Doesn’t that frustrate the
relationship? Yet God has spoken – all we need do, is listen.
2.
We have
prayer itself. Tonight is the prayer meeting. Are you ready to call out to the
Lord? Do you trust the Lord to hear your burdens and bear them for you? Or is
your relationship to Him so thin that you don’t feel comfortable calling on
Him. Brethren - If we can’t call on the
Lord for help, we have no one else to turn to. I realize that some matters
aren’t for the public prayer meeting, but you do have a time of prayer don’t
you? The old KJV called it a prayer closet – a place where you can privately
call upon the Lord. (Matt. 6:6)
3.
And 3rd
we have the fellowship of the Saints. Do you make it your passion to seek out
brothers and sisters to bless and be blessed by them? Do you try to make the
attendance at Church a major priority in your life? You see, we have within
this very body the ability to sharpen one another’s relationship to the King –
but only if you seek it out. 1 John 1:7 tells us But if we walk in the
light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another.[8] Fellowship
is tied to walking in the light – that is how it can be a means of grace. Paul tells us in Colossians, Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching
and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing
with grace in your hearts to the Lord.[9]
Fellowship with one another is a means of grace to get to know the
Saviour more intimately.
i)
In my
last message we considered the selection of the 12 Apostles. And do you
remember how I pointed out that the important factor in these men wasn’t so
much their Apostleship, but that they were the foundation stones – Christ being
the cornerstone and that we are the living stones, as we build the Spiritual
house of God? Well, living stones in a building have communication with one
another. To stretch the analogy a bit, a square brick has 6 sides and at least
4 of them are mortared to 4 other bricks. Do you have a few significant
brothers or sisters to which you can share and fellowship in the faith? This
can foster the relationship we have with the Saviour! Hebrews 10 tells us this
in familiar words, And let us consider one another in order to stir
up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of
ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another[10]
ii)
We
ourselves practice this in our Lords Day morning worship service – every time
we have our Praise and Testimony time.
We give place and time in the service that we can minister to one another as we
share with one another how the Lord is teaching us, or answering our prayers.
(See also Eph 5:15; 1 Thes. 5:11; Rom. 1:12)
I have given
you 3 means to help you in your relation to the Lord. If we are about knowing
the Lord, we need to study the Word, we need to be in regular prayer, and we
need each other in fellowship. There are more but these may be considered the
chief means. Each of you may find certain of these 3 easier than others.
Let me
request of you a bit of help – if there was one that for me was most difficult
– it is this matter of prayer. I do not like to rush into the Lords presence
without adequate preparation…but the result of this is that I do not so often
avail myself of this very means of grace.
If I struggle
with one – then surely so do you. Let’s exhort one another and not let
ourselves fall into the error of unbelief! Such unbelief can even lead to a blasphemous
end as we have seen with the Scribes and Pharisees. As much as I have
excoriated these rulers because of their evil accusations, I would remind you
that they surely started out better. But they left off true piety for the works
of religion and ended up in accusing the Christ of being the devils tool!
The message I
am trying to convey is that unbelief makes fools out of the very most learned
of men – The essence of spiritual wisdom is found in knowledge of the Lord. As
I close I can think of no other admonition to point to but that of the Apostle
Paul in Philippians,
“Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the
excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered
the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and
be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but
that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by
faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship
of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.” (Phil 3:8-10)
Make knowing
the Lord your chief concern!!!
Amen.
