(Read: Mark 3:1-28)
Introduction: In this chapter we see Jesus entering a
synagogue, finding a man with a withered hand and a group of critical watchers waiting for
a way to "accuse" Him. He asked a question to get their viewpoint but received
no response. Jesus demonstrated His divine power by healing the man (vs. 1-5). He was
angry with the critical observers, because He could see their impure motives fostered by
their lack of understanding of God's will as it was reveled in the scriptures!
1. The Pharisees went forth determined to
"destroy" Him (v. 6). They had seen what they came for --Jesus had healed on the
Sabbath. They were determined that He was against what they stood for, and they didn't
intend to allow Him to accomplish His mission. How wrong they were!
2. Jesus "withdrew" Himself with His disciples to the Sea, while "a great multitude" followed (vs 7-12). He preached, healed and cast out evil spirits.
3. He goes up into a mountain, calls unto Him "whom he
would." He "ordained twelve" to be with Him, that He might send them forth
with "power to heal sickness" and cast our devils." (Vs.
13-21). We are given the names of the 12. We'll find them described in a number of places
in the New Testament. Multitudes came to Him and his "friends" went out to lay
hold of Him, thinking "He was beside " Himself. How
sad that so many didn't understand who He was, what He had come for, and what He would
accomplish. In like manner today, as well as down through the centuries, men often
fail to grasp what God wants man to do.
4. Scribes came down from Jerusalem, and charged Him with having Beelzebub (Vs. 22-30). He challenged them with a parable, a method of teaching that He often used to illustrate spiritual truths by showing the similarity between a known situation in the material world with a spiritual truth.
5. His mother and his brothers in the flesh - came and standing outside
the crowd "calling" Him (Vs. 31-35). Jesus took advantage of this to point to
the value of the spiritual kinship over the physical. He claimed, "Whosoever
shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother " Here
is a great lesson: Our physical, blood, relationships are important, to be sure. However,
our spiritual relationships are even more significant. We surely cannot shirk our duties
in the family relationship (1 Tim. 5:8, 16), but we have to properly evaluate our
relationship in the kingdom/church/body of the Lord Jesus Christ (Gal. 6:10). Brotherly
love is a significant part of making our calling and election SURE (2 Pet.1:5-11).
Questions:
1. When Jesus "entered again into
the synagogue" what did He find there?
2. What was the aim and motives of some who "watched" Jesus?
3. What question did Jesus ask those watching?
4. What response did Jesus receive and what emotion, did He manifest regarding them?
5. What did the Pharisees go "forth" to do, according to v. 6?
6. When Jesus "withdrew" Himself with His disciples, who came to Him (Vs. 7-12)?
7. Where did Jesus go and what did He do, according to vs. 13-21?
8. Who charged Jesus with having Beelzebub, working "by the
prince of the devils"?
9. How did Jesus respond to the charges (vs.23-30)?
10. Who came "calling" for Him and what lesson did He teach about fleshy and
spiritual kinship?