17/2/18 – Exodus 21, Exodus 22 Mark 2:18-27, Mark 3:1-30 Proverbs 5:1-14

Mark 3:6

Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.

It seems sort of bizarre that someone would be upset that Jesus healed on the sabbath, rather than be amazed that Jesus actually healed someone!

These guys were so closed off to Jesus, they had minds like concrete. Jesus was angry at the hardness of their hearts – they were immovable. It tells us that they were watching, looking for something to accuse Jesus with. Some people are always looking for the wrong, always ready to pounce.

But they’d missed the point of the Sabbath – notice Jesus never says that sabbath isn’t special, but the rigid idea they had about it – the extra rules they’d added. How can it be unlawful to do good?

And here we are, just in chapter 3 and they are already plotting to kill Jesus. Pharisees and Herodians did not get on. Politically they were totally opposed – but they came together to plot against Jesus.

Church, we can expect that too. People who’s opinions and morality totally differ to each other are always willing to come together to stand against the truth of the Gospel. But like Jesus, we cannot let them effect us, but do good and stand for the truth of the word anyway.

Mark 3:20-21

Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”

Even Jesus’ family didn’t get it, not to begin with. Even Mary was unsure what Jesus was up to – we know she was there as his “mother and brother” are mentioned later in the chapter.

They wanted to “take charge of him” because they thought He was out of His mind. They were trying to stage an intervention.

Now Jesus had already claimed to be the Son of God in the last chapter, so it may have been related to that, but also He was gathering such crowds – so much so He and the disciples couldn’t even eat – it seemed like He was starting to be over-excited and reckless, putting himself in unnecessary danger.

But Jesus knew what He was doing. HIs mother and bothers would come to realise that – James, His brother eventually leading the church in Jerusalem after Jesus ascends.

I’m sure the family was well intentioned. I’m sure they thought they were looking out for Him.

When we get saved and our families have not yet seen the truth, there will be resistance. That’s natural. They don’t understand. They are looking out for you because they care. That’s well intentioned.

But even so, don’t let them distract you from your calling. They may even think you’ve lost your mind – keep going. One day, they will see. Keep praying for them, keep believing for them.

Mark 3:28-30

Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.”

He said this because they were saying, “He has an impure spirit.”

Ok, we cannot read this verse without some comment. This verse has been a stumbling block for many. “What is the unpardonable sin? What is blaspheming the Holy Spirit? Have I done this one by accident?”

But actually this scripture tells us exactly what Jesus meant. He said this because they were saying He had an impure spirit. In other words, they were saying that the miracles that Christ was doing were the work of the devil.

They were denying who He was and suggesting that He was evil. That is unforgivable – because without Christ and accepting who He is… there IS NO forgiveness.

Prov 5:3-4

For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey,

and her speech is smoother than oil,

but in the end she is bitter as wormwood,

sharp as a two-edged sword.

There’s something about the word forbidden that attracts people. We want what we cannot have. That’s our fallen nature.

Lust wouldn’t be temptation if it wasn’t attractive. It may seem appealing to begin with, it may seem exciting… but it’s anything but.

This applies to both men and women, incidentally. Proverbs is written from the male perspective but this is certainly true for both genders.

What seems enticing is a trap. Bitter and destructive.

Don’t let lust win. Don’t find yourself in the position where you are saying verses 13 and 14. “I did not listen to the voice of my teachers or incline my ear to my instructors. I am at the brink of utter ruin in the assembled congregation.”

The forbidden lusts lead to death, heartache and pain. Don’t do it. Keep wise.