35
K i n g ' s
B u s i n e s s
January 1928
T h e
International Lesson Commentary F ebruary 5, 1928 Text: Mark 3:19-35; 6:1-6 Jesus M isunderstood and Opposed
Heart of th e Lesson—K.L.B, Devotional—David L. Cooper Little Folk—Mabel M. Hope
, The writer believes little can be gath ered from this as to any particular sin which some today imagine has put them beyond hope. Rarely could it be com mitted now. Attributing the beneficent works of Jesus to Beelzebub is a sin that must have proceeded from an incurable disposition of mind. It was the outburst of an inner condition long developing, a hardening of heart; that caused a man deliberately to turn against the highest evidence of our Lord’s greatest miracles. There is a blasphemy that incapacitates the soul for repentance. He has no desire whatever to be saved. It is certain that those greatly troubled lest they might have committed this sin, are those least likely , to have Committed it. The very spirit of repentance is an evidence that the door of salvation is not closed to them. Verses 31-35 inform us how even the family of Jesus had to be taught that they must not attempt to interfere with His public ministry. His “brethren and His mother stood without, calling Him. He apparently paid no attention to the in terruption. Then some in the crowd be gan to call out : “Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for Thee.” ^ “Who is my mother, or my brethren?' He asked, and then, gave His own an swer '„ “Whosoever shall do the will of God” (v. 35). It is remarkable that in the two cases where Mary figures in the gospel story, she appears to be gently re proved and to be placed, so far as rela tionship was concerned,, alongside of all other of His obedient servants. The last we read of Mary, she was gathered with the rest in the prayer meeting before Pentecost. In the opening verses of Chapter 6, we have another view of the critics of Jesus. He goes to Nazareth and in the synagogue on the Sabbath day He begins to teach. “From whence has this man this wisdom?" and “Where does He get the power to do these mighty works?” Is He not the car penter, the son of Mary? Does not his family live here in Nazareth? “And they were offended" (v. 3). Like many today, they did not see the weakness of the argument. A carpenterI What of it? Is one dull because he is skilled with tools? An ass is not the wiser for being loaded with books. Men of clear vision, high and enduring mo tives, exist outside of the schools of the Rabbis. But how will they account for His wis dom and power? They knew He had not sat at the feet of the Rabbis or any learned philosophers. They knew He had possessed no book but the Scriptures. If He did not get His wisdom from men, where could He have gotten it? Says Dr. Strong: “Without the broadening influ ences of reading, travel or educated com: panionship, He presents a character, a spirit, a sympathy, a doctrine as broad as mankind and as profound as human need.” When He said anything, it was
J ESUS having entered into a house, a great throng of people gathered, and so many pushed their way into the house that we are told, in the opening verse of
against the Holy Ghost, hath never for giveness, biit is in danger of eternal dam nation” (v. 28-29). If the wording of this is carefully noted, it will appear perfectly plain that this does not refer to some sudden, slight ing, trifling words such as curses. ALL SINS and BLASPHEMIES shall be for given BUT! Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit consists in words malignantly spoken, against the power of the Holy Spirit working in Christ.
the lesson, they could not even get room enough to eat (v. 20). His friends',
hearing of the situ ation, thought their Master was going a bit too far in His en thusiasm, and “went out to lay hold of Him, for they said, He is beside Himself’ (v. 21). Well-meaning friends often interfere with one’s spiritual usefulness. If we are to be close followers of Jesus, we may as well make up our minds to be completely detached from the opinions of friends when we are sure we have a clear call to service. We shall be misunderstood as He was. It brings one severest pain to be misinterpreted by friends, yet it has always been the price of doing the will of God. The Scribes who had arrived from Jerusalem, were quick to turn to their own advantage the opinion of Christ’s friends. They went a bit farther. They said: “He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of demons casteth He out demons” (v. 22). Are we aware that unsaved peo ple have ears that are keen to pick up our expressions of doubt concerning Christ and His church, and to make use of them? The remark of the Scribes brought forth a parable from the Great Teacher: “How can Satan cast out Satan?” What a weak piece of philosophy—that Satan’s kingdom should be divided against itself 1 “If Satan rise up against himself,” argued Jesus, “he cannot stand, but hath an end.” How spontaneous and unanswerable were the arguments with which Jesus demol ished the theories of His learned critics! He employed no anger or invective to meet their outrageous insults, but pa tiently proceeded with his teaching, and, by the simplest illustrations, showed the childishness of their reasonings. He compares the devil to a “strong man” (v. 27). He holds men as his prop erty. Can anyone get his goods away from him without first overcoming him? If Jesus was in league with the devil, the idea that he was taking men away from him was absurd. He who breaks men loose from their sins must have power to overcome Satan. They believed Beelze bub was wise and crafty. Behold—by their logic they made a fool out of him. Then comes a statement that has troubled many minds. “All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blas phemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: but he that shall blaspheme
My Life B y W inifred A. I verson “And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and t h i r t y years” (Gen. 47:9). How the days are passing— Days that make the years; Oh! to be amassing Wealth for higher spheres. Days of peace and plenty, Days of want and storm, Days that meet us gently, Days of rougher form. Days of work or pleasure, Days of health or pain, Days of Sabbath leisure— Bringing richest gain. Days of special blessing — Bright, red-letter days, Days of soul-possessing In all patient ways. Days with Jesus walking— Days of priceless worth, Days with Jesus talking— Days of heaven on earth 1 How the days are going, Lord, that make the years! Keep us glad in knowing That Thy Coming nears!
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