In his epistle written around A.D. 66, John Mark began his letter by introducing John The Baptist, God’s messenger by describing how his role was to announce the coming of the Messiah, and baptize Him in the Jordan River so Jesus could fulfill all righteousness, and be identify with those He came to redeem.
After He was baptized, Christ was tested by Satan in the wilderness for forty days but the Messiah persevered and resisted temptation as He prepared for His ministry, which He started in Galilee while John The Baptist was imprisoned for rebuking Herod Antipas.
The Lord’s ministry began along the Sea of Galilee where He recruited His first four apostles, Simon, Andrew, James and John, who were all fishermen from Capernaum, a small fishing village located on the northern shore of the lake. This was the location where Jesus performed His first recorded miracle when He healed a possessed man, delivering him from a demon. Jesus followed His first miracle with another when He miraculously healed Simon’s mother in law who was gravely ill, then as word spread about these healings, the entire population of the city gathered outside the house door where Jesus answered the call to heal the sick.
Then, Jesus embarked on a missionary journey through the region which eventually lead him back to Capernaum where He furthered His ministry through preaching and healing the sick. But, when He healed a man on the Sabbath, the Pharisees and Herodians began plotting to kill Him.
Before they could get to Him, Jesus chose His twelve apostles. The first was Simon, whom Jesus renamed Peter. Next came James, one of the “Sons of Thunder” who accepted the call to follow Jesus along with his brother John, Andrew, the dean of His apostolic corps Philip, the curious, Bartholomew, the honest one, then Matthew, the “money-getter” for the ministry, Thomas, the doubter as well as the twins, James and Thaddaeus Alphaeus, the group’s chief ushers, Simon, the Zealot and lastly, Judas, the traitor.
After they returned to Capernaum, Jesus and His apostles walked into a house.
“20 Then the multitude came together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread.” (Mark 3:20)
Upon their return to the small fishing village located on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, the evangelistic group was swarmed by a multitude, once again. The crowd was immense and their needs became so overwhelming that neither Jesus nor His apostles has time to eat.
“21 But when His own people heard about this, they went out to lay hold of Him, for they said, “He is out of His mind.” (Mark 3:21)
When they heard about the commotion and disturbance taking place at Capernaum, Jesus’ family became concerned and they did what they could to ease the situation and protect Him, by making exaggerated claims about His health designed to appease those skeptics who were out to get Jesus.
“22 And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, “He has Beelzebub,” and, “By the ruler of the demons He casts out demons.” (Mark 3:22)
Because they intended to use whatever they could against Him, the scribes, mostly made of Pharisees, leveraged the situation to declare Jesus possessed, and making claims He was Satan in the flesh in hope He would be dealt with according to the Law.
“23 So He called them to Himself and said to them in parables: “How can Satan cast out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26 And if Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand, but has an end.” (Mark 3:23-26)
Jesus knew the scribes were plotting against Him, and He used a story to illustrate His point, that Satan could not cast himself out but instead, be cast out according to divine appointment. Therefore, because He had previously cast out demons, and continued to possess the ability to overcome evil, He could not be that “Beelzebub,” a synonym for Satan.
“27 No one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. And then he will plunder his house.” (Mark 3:27)
Here, Jesus reminded the scribes of the fact Satan was immensely powerful, much like a strong man, and for someone to come in Satan’s house and pluck from him souls headed for the Lake of Fire would require enormous strength, which the Christ has more of than any living creature.
And, it is through Him and His sacrifice made on the cross, and by His grace and mercy that all those who believe will be saved from the wages of sin, and inherit a place in the Kingdom of God where all those in Christ will rejoice, forever. Let’s pray!
Father God;
We thank you for your blessings in our lives,
We praise you Lord for the wisdom found through the gospel of Mark,
We ask you Lord to inspire us to use these verses in our lives
As we continue to learn more about you through your word.
Lord we ask you to strengthen us each day as we endure through battles,
Allow us to praise and love each other through faith in you Jesus,
Shield us from evil through truth, the gospel, salvation and prayer,
Guide us to abide by your word as we spread your gospel to one and all
Becoming examples of faith through our character as we walk the narrow path.
God we pray that you will continue to bless us, to bless our lives and fill us with hope
We ask you Lord to guide our footsteps and lead us to the way everlasting,
Through faith in you Lord we seek salvation and a place with you in heaven
According to your ways, your everlasting wisdom and strength.
May your will be done
In our lives, for your life.
We thank you for your love and all you bless us with each day.
Praise God,
Amen!
This message was written by Daniel St.Pierre
Email: danielstpierre@thrivethroughchrist.com
