Slices
Prepare
Ask God to speak clearly through his Holy Spirit so you can hear how he wants you to follow Jesus today.
Bible passage
Jesus accused by his family and by teachers of the law
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 Beelzebul! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.’
23 So Jesus called them over to him and began to speak 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 without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man’s house. 28 Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, 29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.’
30 He said this because they were saying, ‘He has an impure spirit.’
31 Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. 32 A crowd was sitting round him, and they told him, ‘Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.’
33 ‘Who are my mother and my brothers?’ he asked.
34 Then he looked at those seated in a circle round him and said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.’
Explore
Unmet expectations are one of the biggest causes of friction in relationships, whether spousal, familial, work-related or friendships. When Jesus comes on the scene, he shatters the religious leaders’ expectations of who Messiah is and how he operates, to the point that they say he is demon possessed (v 22). Many Christians worry whether they have committed an unforgivable sin (v 29) but in verse 30 Jesus is clear that the sin he’s referring to is that of accusing him of having an evil spirit. Someone who is worrying about that is highly unlikely to have committed that sin!
His family, however genuine their intentions towards him were, had to deal with the fact that Jesus came for all people, and for him there is no special privilege for blood relatives (vs 33–35). Yes, he loves and honours his parents and loves his brothers, but they are no more worthy of the kingdom than anyone else. Paradoxically, he would give his own flesh and blood to redeem the world (including his earthly family).
One of the great mysteries of God’s kingdom is that God became flesh and was born to a human family. Now in Christ he makes a way for all humanity to be adopted into his global family.
Respond
Ask God to show you anywhere in your heart where you feel more, or less, deserving than others of God’s grace. Ask him to replace that lie with his truth.
Deeper Bible study
‘Come near to God and he will come near to you.’1 Quieten your heart before the Lord.
Jesus now faces further opposition, this time from an unexpected quarter. His family arrive to seize him and take him home, believing him to be ‘out of his mind’ (v 21). Perhaps the criticism he’d received from religious leaders and his association with society’s outcasts alarmed them.2 They may have worried about his lifestyle, as crowds constantly pressed in on him, placing him in physical danger and making it difficult for him to have time to eat (v 20). Whatever the reason, it must have been painful for Jesus to be misunderstood by his own family.
The opposition of the religious authorities was different: they were not confused about Jesus. They could see that his mighty works could only be the result of God’s power, yet they denied this to discredit him. They even claimed he could cast out demons because he was himself possessed by the prince of demons (v 22).
Jesus’ warning about an unforgivable sin often worries people. The religious leaders were in danger of this, because they knowingly lied about Jesus. Their hearts were so set against him that they declared this godly man, evil. Their hardened consciences would prevent them from repenting and so deny them forgiveness.3 Few will ever be guilty of this extreme sin. Instead, our focus should be on Jesus’ comforting words that ‘people can be forgiven all’ other ‘sins and every slander’ (v 28). This forgiveness is illustrated by the changed attitude of Jesus’ family in later years. Despite their initial doubts, his mother and some, at least, of his brothers went on to become his followers.4 Indeed, his brother James was so committed that he led the church in Jerusalem and was martyred for his faith – stoned to death, according to Josephus.5
Pray for anyone who finds it hard to believe God can forgive them or who is struggling to repent. Pray that their eyes may be opened to God’s amazing grace.
1 James 4:8 2 William Barclay, The Gospel of Mark, Westminster John Knox Press, 2017, p71 3 Barclay, p77 4 Acts 1:12–14 5 Antiquities of the Jews, 20, 199–203
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Isaiah 43,44; Hebrews 6
Pray for Scripture Union
Please pray for the children who went on our holidays and missions this summer as they settle back into the routine of school and home – that they will continue to explore for themselves the difference that Jesus can make to their lives.
Revealing Jesus
With a staggering 95% of all under 18s not in church, the task of reaching them with the good news of Jesus is huge. But so too is the opportunity!
At Scripture Union, we’re passionate about equipping and enabling local churches like yours to reach ‘the 95’ though our Revealing Jesus mission framework. Revealing Jesus will not only help you to connect with these children and young people but will also provide you with the support and resources you need to continue to walk alongside them as they find and grow in faith.
Discover more here
