THREE WAYS

MUSINGS - September 30 2018

THREE WAYS

Mark 3:22-30
The scribes who had come from Jerusalem said, "Beelzebul is in him," and "He forces demons out of people with the help of the ruler of demons." Jesus called them together and used this illustration: "How can Satan force out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot last. And if a household is divided against itself, that household will not last. So if Satan rebels against himself and is divided, he cannot last. That will be the end of him. "No one can go into a strong man's house and steal his property. First he must tie up the strong man. Then he can go through the strong man's house and steal his property. "I can guarantee this truth: People will be forgiven for any sin or curse. But whoever curses the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. He is pguilty of an everlasting sin." Jesus said this because the scribes had said that he had an evil spirit.

It is of some note that these scribes came all the way from Jerusalem to try and discredit Jesus. See how great a threat he was to them that they would travel great distances into the countryside to do verbal battle.

The attack of these learned scholars was so weak that Christ easily destroys it with a simple analogy of a kingdom divided. In a battle of wits they came unarmed.

Jesus then issues a dire warning to them, "whoever curses the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven." When the one whose whole purpose is to seek the Lord and forgive if their sins, tells you to your face that you've crossed a line that can not be forgiven, you should be very afraid indeed. Jesus cast out demons and performed wonders by the power of the Holy Spirit. And these foolish scribes had just called the Spirit the devil.

There are three ways to respond to Jesus: you can totally accept that he is who he claims to be, you can have doubts and honest questions that are not rejection but a settling for answers, and it is also possible to close your mind and handed your heart so that no proof no matter how obvious, will be accepted.

What is your response?

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