Marcos 3:22-30 ¡Prejuicios que ciegan ante el poder de Dios!

por John Davis

Mark 3:22-30
Prejudice that Blinds to the Power of God!

The text we will be looking at today is Mark 3:22-30. Between the text of last week and this week’s text are verses 7-19 which introduce what some would call the “later Galilean ministry of Jesus. The earlier ministry was prior to the religious leaders plot to bring about his death. The later Galilean ministry occurs after that plot and continues through 6:6a.After the plot to kill him, Jesus remains in the north away from Jerusalem where the religious leaders would have more ability to fulfill their evil plot. He’s not ready yet to give his life. First, he enjoys the popularity of the common people as they throng to him from east of Jordan, south of Judea, and from northern coastal cities. He continues demonstrating his power over Satan and his demons, as he commands them to silence, not wanting his fame to be announced by demons and perhaps not wanting the title ‘Son of God’ attached exclusively to the physical aspects of his ministry.

Also, recorded is the choosing of the twelve. Knowing that His mission is to die and knowing that the religious leaders are plotting to take his life, he chooses leaders who will carry on his work.

Mark 3:13-15
¹³ ¶ And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. ¹⁴ And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach ¹⁵ and have authority to cast out demons.

Their calling involves three things in serving Jesus Christ:

1. That they might be with him – relationship and training
   
2. To send them out to preach (heralds) – ministry of the word
   
3. To have authority over demons – assurance of victory
   

    

We resume the story as Jesus returns to an unidentified place called home, perhaps Nazareth or his headquarters in Capernaum.

Mark 3:20-30
²⁰Then he went home, and the crowd gathered again, so that they could not even eat.²¹ And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, “He is out of his mind.”

Mark begins this account reminding us that at this point the family of Jesus are not yet committed followers. Mark has not mentioned Mary at all until now and even here not by name. Jesus and his disciples are in a house in his home The crowds relentlessly come to him with their needs so that he and his disciples do not take time for one of the most basic necessities of life – eating. To his family, this is not normal, perhaps even dangerous to him, so they want to seize him because he’s not in his right mind.

Perhaps they are concerned for the reputation of his family. In the ancient world, mental disorders were often associated with demon possession. Under Jewish law, false teachers controlled by evil spirits were subject to death Even though Jews could not carry out this penalty under Roman law, the charge itself could be damaging to a family’s reputation.

Often, the call of the Lord upon your life and your commitment to follow him makes those are not believers scratch their heads and wonder what’s wrong with you. Why would doctors who can become wealthy in America become missionaries to 3^rd world country.

His family thinks he crazy, but even worse, the religious leaders think that he is possessed of the devil and under the power of the devil. Listen to them:

²² And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “by the prince of demons he casts out the demons.”

Often exorcists would call upon the name and power of a greater evil spirit to cast out a demon. Though Jesus casts out demons by his own power and authority, they accuse him of being an exorcist under the power of evil spirits.

²³ And he called them to him 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 will not be able to stand. ²⁶ And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but is coming to an end. ²⁷ But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house. ²⁸ ¶ “Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter, ²⁹ but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”– ³⁰ for they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.”

In out text today, Jesus warns the Pharisees about having a cultural prejudice that blinds them from seeing God at work. The Pharisees demonized Jesus because of their prejudices. Do we not, as these teachers of the law, question and limit the power of God? Are we not motivated by similar prejudices that blind us from seeing God as work or from expecting God to powerfully work?

As we saw last week, we all have ways of looking at life and the world that affect what we believe about the power of God and what we expect of the power of God.

I understand the difficulty these teachers of the law have with Jesus’ ministry. His method and results did not fit their religious and cultural paradigm. They could not see God working outside their box.

Illustration: When I was in seminary, I developed a friendship with an Indian man, KC. We called him KC because his first name was difficult to pronounce and his last name was about a foot long.

KC was an evangelist from India working on an advanced theological degree. I spent a lot of time helping him write his dissertation on a comparison of Vedic sacrifice and Mosaic Sacrifice. We talked often about life and ministry in India. At times I would come away bewildered because his stories did not match my theology. KC was not Pentecostal or charismatic by formal definition, yet he spoke of unusual experiences. At times God gave him gifts of language to evangelize in Indian dialects he had not known. He also shared stories of instant miraculous healing in answer to prayer that God used to open the door for the gospel.

My dilemma was this: I knew that KC loved Christ and the gospel of Christ; yet his experience in the gospel differed so much from mine. I often asked myself, “is what KC telling me of God or of the devil?” (Prior to that I had often been quick to declare what was of the devil and what was of God.)

I confess I had many prejudices that blinded me to the power of God. At that time I would have said that all supernatural gifts (such as tongue and miraculous healing) were apostolic and ceased in the 1^st Century.

Because I was not willing to attribute to Satan the things that KC shared with me, I had to take a fresh look at Scripture that took me out of the theological box I was in, and now I would say that those supernatural gifts are not normative for 21^st Century church life but that God may and does make them available to accomplish his purpose of redemption, especially in areas where the gospel is being newly introduced.

I eventually had to ask, “is what KC describes contrary to what I know Jesus has the power to do and has come to do?”

The work of the Spirit in Jesus Christ has a way of disturbing the tight grids that we construct. Remember how Jesus described the work of the Spirit in John 3:8. He said that Spirit’s work is as a wind which blows where it pleases and though you may hear its sound you can not tell from where it comes or where it is going.

In the Pharisees tight theological grid there was no room for a man who had this kind of power over Satan’s kingdom. They had no room for a Messiah that exercised power over Satan’s kingdom but not the kingdom of Rome. They were not willing to believe that Jesus was inaugurating the kingdom of God and that his power over Satan’s kingdom demonstrated that the kingdom of God had come in Jesus. Jesus did not fit their conception of a Messiah. Their God worked only within their box. In their thinking, if Satan’s kingdom was being invaded by the casting out of demons, then Satan himself must be behind it. Most of us are more comfortable with “God in a box.”

Why do we struggle with “God’s working in ways” that doesn’t fit our way of thinking? What is it that motivates such strong judgments. Put yourself in the Shoes of the Pharisees for a few moments.

They may have come to their conclusion for any one of a number of reasons

1. Sometimes people say, “It’s not of God” because they can’t explain or they fear the new thing happening.

Mark doesn’t give us the entire context of Jesus’ words to the Pharisees. Matthew tells us that Jesus had just healed a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute. In the Matthew text, Jesus declares himself to be the Messiah. He says, “If I cast out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come unto you.”
Casting out demons was not an everyday occurrence in 1^st Century Palestine until Jesus came Yes, there were sorcerers who worked their black magic in cooperation with demonic forces. And, on rare occasions a rabbi or teacher would be successful in exorcism. To them it clearly was an evidence that God was at work.

The teachers of the law just couldn’t accept that God was at work in Jesus’ exorcisms. His success rate and his teaching were too radically new – Had the kingdom of God actually arrived in the ministry of Jesus Christ?

Do we have any less difficulty believing that God can work in ways that are radically new?

In evangelical Christianity, we have passed along a “slogan” which served to protect our traditions – “If it’s true it’s not new; if it’s new; it’s not true.” Is that slogan reliable?

If it’s contrary to God’s word, it is not true, but it may be true even though it’s contrary to my theological system or my cultural expression of Christianity.

How many times have Christians opposed something as not of God because it was new?

    Some of you remember the advent of the TV. Christians called it the Devil’s box. They were sure that God couldn’t work through something that was capable of enormous evil. The same thing has been said about the computer. Does God work through satellites and internet? Some would still say that they belong to the prince of the power of the air.

    I wonder if we realize that the introduction of the pipe organ into cathedrals was initially opposed as a worldly abomination. Not too long ago it couldn’t be imagined that drums and guitars were could be used of God. One Far Side cartoon depicts harps being given to those entering heaven and accordions to those entering hell. (Accordions were associated with a carnival like atmosphere.)

    There are those who question whether modern translations of the Bible are of God or Satan.

Our cultural upbringing creates a lens through which we look at the world. Culture changes can be discomfiting. Today in some places there is a culture of earrings, nose-rings, eye-rings, and belly-button rings. Tattoos are no longer the exclusive domain of drunken sailors and outlaw bikers, they are now fashionable. Tattooing is body art!

Can God really work in and through a tattooed, body-art culture? Can a tattooed, pierced-body singer be used of God? Suppose I pulled up my sleeve today and showed you a tattoo on my shoulder. Would you begin to question whether I can really preach the Holy bible with an unholy tattoo? After all, would Jesus wear a tattoo?

One of my sons has a fish on his arm with the Greek word ‘fish’ –
standing for Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Savior. Is that of God or the devil?

    (Now I’m not advocating that all kids begin to press their parents for body piercing and tattoos. I only hope that parents when they object would simply say, I don’t like it; it’s illegal, you can make that choice when you’re older, without trying to build a case that it isn’t of God and good Christians don’t do that.)

Does your fear of the new, blind you from seeing the power of God?

2. Sometimes people say, “It’s not of God” because they are afraid of losing power – they are protecting a tradition and their stake in it;
 

Jesus was making inroads on the Pharisees turf. The common people heard him gladly. The lame are walking, the blind see, the deaf speak, and Jesus gets credit for it. This is disturbing to the teachers of the law! Often we ask, what I am to gain or to lose if I accept such and such as God’s work.

Some of the major revivals in history have been most opposed by religious leaders who stood on the outside and watched and saw nothing happening in their own congregations.

Over the last 20 years most evangelical congregations have been involved in worship wars – the battle over musical styles. Initially the cry was and still is among some, “that new music can’t be of God.” Often behind that cry of the opposition is, “if that music takes over what will happen to my tradition.”

Now we may see the reverse happen. As contemporary churches desire to have more liturgy and historical connection, what will the reactions be?

    It is an anomaly that many evangelical churches that had healthy foreign mission programs reacted most strongly to the need to adjust to cultural shifts in America. On the one hand, those churches, expected that any good missionary would learn the culture of their target group and communicate the gospel in forms that were culturally relevant – in language, dress, musical styles, etc.

    Yet, those same churches reacted strongly to any change of language, dress, musical style within their own churches. WHY?

Let me suggest that many churches no longer see themselves as a mission outpost invading Satan’s territory. Preserving their culture takes priority over seeing the power of God.

    The question should not be “what am I going to gain or lose?” Rather it should be, Does your fear of losing what is familiar and comfortable blind you from seeing the power of God in advancing His kingdom?

3. Sometimes people say, “It’s not of God” because they want to preserve their “good guy” status by branding others as bad guys;
 

In psychology the theory of ego-defense suggests that people who feel threatened and uncertain about their own worth reject people unlike themselves (the in group versus the out group; the good guys versus the bad guys).

The Pharisees are the good guys and they want to preserve that status. They do so by demonizing Jesus. I remember one man int he past, objecting to including contemporary music in our worship. He tried to preserve his good guy status by demonizing me! One of his statements was that “I am a punk-rocker in disguise.” That’s pretty funny because I don’t even have enough hair to spike it and color it orange and of all the musical genres I like, Punk-rock is not my favorite.

If he had followed me around, what he’d find it this.

I am just as comfortable listening to …

The screaming guitar sound of Hard Time blues by Walter Trout;

The bright and fast moving jazz guitar of Wes Montgomery playing “Stomping at the Savoy.”

The solemn and grand sound of a Requiem by Bach or Mozart;

The bluesy rock and roll of Creedence Clearwater Revival singing “Down by the River;

The soothing and deeply emotional combination of Isaac Stern on the violin and Yo-Yo Ma on the cello playing Brahms Double Concerto.

The folksy ballads of Bruce Cockburn.

    Or dancing to the celebrative worship and praise of from the CD, “Worship Together Live.”

We all need honest reflection at times to make sure that our objection to what God may be doing differently through the ministry of others is truly theological and not personal.

How does Jesus respond to their prejudicial charge? He actually does two things:

1. He challenges them to think about what they’ve said. He asks one probing question and offers 3 illustrations.
 This is the first mention of parable – the casting of spiritual truth alongside of a natural illustration.

2. He gives them a severe warning.
 

• Jesus challenges them to think about what they’ve been saying – “How can Satan drive out Satan? Prejudice often turns logic upside down.

Think about it for a moment! Putting your prejudices aside, is Satan really at work through these new things? What is actually being accomplished through this ministry of Jesus? Does not the casting out of demons, the preaching of the gospel, the exalting of Christ, the appeal for salvation in Christ, the call to commitment and discipleship say clearly that this isn’t Satan’s work.

He is not saying, “the end justifies the means.” He certainly is saying “the end justifies the end.” That Satan is cast out and his house is plundered is all that matters.

They were so tied to their own prejudice that they couldn’t see God at work. The work of God is to invade and conquer the kingdom of Satan through the power of Jesus Christ.

Listen to what Jesus says:

1. He invades the kingdom of Satan as an outsider. Why would Satan initiate something that insures the dissolution of his kingdom?
   
2. He (Jesus) binds the strongman (Satan). Would Satan bind himself?
   
3. He plunders the kingdom. Would Satan plunder his own kingdom?
   

2 Corinthians 4 tell us how God invades Satan’s kingdom with the gospel: 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

Jesus continues to invade the kingdom of Satan with the gospel and He plunders that kingdom with the gospel? The Pharisees were so caught up in their turf-protection mode that they failed to appreciate what was really happening – Satan’s kingdom was being invaded and plundered. God is not limited to our comfort zones in invading and plundering the kingdom of Satan.

    That can happen in a suit and tie setting or a jeans and T-shirt setting.

    That can happen in a classical setting or in a rock and roll setting.

    That can happen in a no cosmetic, no jewelry gospel setting or a tattooed, pierced body setting.

God can even powerfully invade the kingdom of Satan in spite of our disagreements.

14 Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.16 The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice…Phil 1

There are times when the gospel is preached that we may not understand, or agree with, or even personally like the choice of methodology, But God forbid that we should be so self-righteous that we cannot rejoice that the gospel is invading the kingdom of Satan.

NOTE: Admittedly, as believers we live with a tension of knowing Christ’s power over Satan’s kingdom, invading, binding, and plundering, while being called to live with an awareness of Satan’s attacks (Eph 6:10ff; 1 Peter 5:6-11; Rev 12:11; ). Satan’s power is broken and useless over those who rest in Christ victory. We wrestle and fight a foe who is a defeated, emaciated weakling when confronted by the triumphant work of Christ. We can be defeated by this weakling if we use weapons of the flesh (2 Cor 10:3-5), but when we are strong in the Lord and armed with gospel armor (Eph 6:10-18), we are more than conquerors.

• He gives a severe warning. Don’t denigrate Jesus’ power over the kingdom of Satan or dare to limit him to those means with which you are comfortable?
  

The Pharisees were close to committing an unforgivable sin. Let us beware!

If Satan’s kingdom is plundered, if the power of Jesus Christ is exalted; if the gospel is proclaimed; if lives are changed that live for the glory of God, then let’s give God the glory.

Theologians have discussed the question of the unforgivable sin for ages. As I understand the context, let me say up front that no one here is in danger of committing the unpardonable sin. The unforgivable sin was attributing to the devil the work of the Spirit in the ministry of Jesus Christ. Jesus is not here in person, performing deeds that are unquestionably of God. Though the Spirit continues to work through the church, none of us serve God with unmixed motives and none our deeds are totally free from the corruption of human nature.

At the same time, let me say that just because we have not committed the unforgivable sin does not mean we haven’t committed sins that need to be forgiven. Jesus assures us that any other sin can be forgiven.

If there is a sin that is similar to this today, it would be the sin of resisting the Spirit’s work in pointing you to Jesus as Savior and Lord. Of course, as long as you resist, you cannot be forgiven, but thankfully some of us have resisted but have repented and been forgiven.

Isn’t it possible that we get so caught up in preserving our traditions, protecting our territory, and preserving our good guy status that we become blind to God’s working outside our box or that we depend little upon his power and expect little from Him.

In the past, I have been filled with so much prejudice that has hindered me from seeing what God is doing and can do around the world. I’m not now totally empty of it. But I want to see the power of God at work, even if it’s outside my box.

Let me suggest some indicators in our lives where we place limits in expecting and experiencing the power of God.

1. Our prayer life – does God have power to save the worst sinner and transform her life. Does God have power to intervene in the circumstance around me so that so that I can live fully for His glory? 
2. Our conversations – does God have power to use the simplicity of His Word, the gospel, to convert sinners? Do I speak the gospel freely and boldy?
3.  Our struggle with sin – does God have power through his word to restore broken minds, remake broken lives, transform, broken marriages, break the power of life-consuming sins, etc?
    Does Christ have power over all the evil forces and spirits in this world? Did he cast down the Prince of this world through his victory on the cross? Did he defeat Satan and his hosts and make a show of them publicly by his resurrection from the dead? Through victory at the cross, through His Spirit, and through the armor of God, can he equip the believer to live in victory over the power of evil? YES!
   

   Tonight, how does your blindness or prejudice keep you from seeing in Jesus the power to bring salvation and transformation to your life and to the world in which you live?
   

   Where specifically do you need to pray, “Lord, I repent of my sin and my blindness, and ask you in Jesus name to show your power in this area of my life.”
   

   
   

John Davis

El 10 de septiembre de 1970 comprendí el gran amor de Dios por mí, pecador y rebelde. Aquella noche recibí el perdón de Dios y una nueva vida a través de Jesucristo, que murió en mi lugar y resucitó para ofrecerme perdón y una nueva vida. He sido pastor principal por más de 30 años plantando dos iglesias en Buckingham, PA y Queens, NY y sirviendo otras dos iglesias en Brooklyn, NY y Roslyn, PA. Actualmente soy el pastor principal de Grace Church of Philly.