Mark 3:20-3520And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. 21And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself. 22And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils. 23And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan? 24And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end. 27No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house. 28Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: 29But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: 30Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit. 31There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him. 32And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee. 33And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren? 34And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! 35For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother. (Mark 3:20‑35)
“AND THE multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. And when His friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on Him: for they said, He is beside Himself.”
In verse 21 we correctly read “kinsmen” (rather than “friends"). They wish to stop the Lord from what to them is madness. They had not yet learned His true character (although later some of them did), and they were probably embarrassed by the acts that drew crowds to Him in such great numbers.
The natural heart can never understand, nor enter into divine actions. Even true believers, acting in the flesh, are sometimes embarrassed or ashamed of the result of God’s marvelous work among poor lost sinners, because scoffers are present or personal acquaintances think them “too religious.” May we, dear friends, have more boldness to witness for Him, in spite of the comments of those ignorant of the saving power of His work on Calvary.
As we read this portion and think on the love and faithfulness of this beloved Servant, how searching the question to our individual hearts: “What think ye of Christ?”
The scribes knew well enough that there was real power behind the works of Jesus that they were witnessing, but did not want to admit its true character. Instead, they thought they would turn the people from their attraction to Him by claiming this to be the work of Satan. “And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth He out devils.” The Lord calmly, but solemnly answers these evil statements by language which closes their mouths and at the same time pronounces a judgment on these blasphemers who have attributed to Satan what was actually the work of the Holy Spirit manifest in the Person of Jesus.
At the closing verses of this chapter the Lord publicly renounces earthly ties — even of His mother and brethren—and proclaiming those who are obedient to the will of God as henceforth filling these relationships with Him. This, we know from other scriptures, did not mean that the Lord was estranged from His mother or brethren, for He loved them to the end, but did emphasize that He had a work to do which was beyond family associations.
It was manifestly the Lord’s purpose to proclaim openly the severing of any earthly and natural ties that would stand in the way of His mission of fully doing His Father’s will. At the same time He expresses that blessed oneness with all who would then (and later) follow Him in faith. Yet this too reminds us that we who love His Name are also called upon to forsake all natural ties — no matter how strong or attractive they may be, if we are to be true servants, following in His footsteps.
How rewarding to those who may prove such a cost to hear His encouraging words to Peter. See Mark 10:28-3028Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. 29And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, 30But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. (Mark 10:28‑30).
“Then Peter began to say unto Him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. And Jesus answered and said, Verily, I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospels, but he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.”
ML-06/09/1963