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Mark 3:22-30 - Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit

Here comes the next accusation against Jesus.

The scribes who came down from Jerusalem said Jesus was possessed by Beelzebul ("prince of demons", or literally "Lord of the flies". Anyone read that book?), and by this demon he casts out other demons.

Jesus then tells them a parable. Or at least the Bible calls it a parable, but this is one of the most straightforward. He says Satan cannot cast out Satan, or else it is pointless - the kingdom is divided and it will fall soon.

He tells a second short story - that no one can enter a strong man's house unless he first binds the strong man. I would assume that the strong man Jesus speaks of is Satan - that Jesus plans to enter the house of the devil - the world, and to plunder a people chosen for Him, defeating Satan in the process. This would also explain why Jesus is casting out demons.

Finally, Jesus says to them that all sins will be forgiven. However, He also warns them that whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will be guilty of eternal sin.

What is eternal sin? We often hear that all sin is forgiven in Christ. They keyword here, I believe, is that all sin is forgiven in Christ only if we repent. Therefore, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is not per se an unforgivable act, but more of an expression of how far gone we are. A blasphemer of the Holy Spirit is not simply one who rejects the gospel, it is someone who is so against the gospel that there is no way for him into it. Even for Paul, who seemingly was the worst blasphemer recorded in history, when Jesus appeared to him, he knew and recognised Jesus as God - and repented. For all the wrong he had spoken and done, there was still this grain of faith in there which helped him to repentance.

So, what's the lesson?

1. We are in the house of the devil; the strong man for now. We must be very aware that on this world, many things are on his terms

2. Our allegiance is to the plunderer - Jesus Christ - to plunder this world of people who are willing to believe, repent and seek forgiveness.

3. There are some who will not be moved - a simple analogy would be trying to steal a cement pillar. However, we do not know who these cement pillars are - even as Paul appeared to be one, he was repentant when God called.

Yup. That's it.

Here's a question that I'm searching to an answer to, and hopefully I'll be able to find an answer and write it here.
I'm currently working selling ice cream! (dream come true here!) How does the gospel direct and shape the way I work and interact with people around me?
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