Mark 3

Mark 3:1

Before we will see Jesus’ work blessed in verses Mar_3:4-7, as chapter 3 opens, we see a continuation of His work belittled. Knowing it was Jesus’ manner to seek out those in need, the Pharisees kept a close eye on the man with the paralyzed hand for the sole purpose of seeing if Jesus would break their law by healing him on the Sabbath.

Mark 3:3

“People die every day. Therefore, if evil and death don’t take a rest, why should goodness and life cease on the Sabbath day? Your rules and regulations don’t make sense,” Jesus said to the Pharisees. The Pharisees were learning not to argue with Jesus.

Mark 3:5

As the man with the paralyzed hand stretched it forth, he was able to do what the Lord had commanded him to do because God’s commandments are always God’s enablements. The Withered Hand A Topical Study of Mar_3:5 Focus with me on four elements of this timeless account… The Withered Hand The historian Jerome tells us there is strong traditional evidence that the man with the paralyzed hand was a stonemason. If so, his paralysis would have very definitely affected his income, and, consequently, the well-being of his entire family. In addition, medicine being in the state that it was, there would have been no painkillers to help alleviate the pain he undoubtedly felt in his arm and through his chest. Although our medicine and workmen’s compensation are more sophisticated than in Jesus’ day, our society is filled with people who feel as though they’re paralyzed relationally, wounded financially, or withered emotionally. Thus, this account is as impacting today as it was then. The Wicked Plan Hearing stories about the Man from Galilee who worked wonders and miracles, the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem grew concerned, for it seemed as though He was getting far too much attention. So they sent a delegation composed of scribes and Phariseesthose devoted to interpreting the law and to keeping its most minute detailto Capernaum in order to check out the situation. How did they know where to find Jesus? Could it be that, knowing this man with the paralyzed arm would be in that particular synagogue on the Sabbath, they figured Jesus would be there as well? The scribes and Pharisees did not come to worship. They came to watch.

They did not come to commune with the Lord, but to confront the Lord. They did not come to find fruit, but to find fault. And they sat there waiting, knowing Jesus, moved with compassion, would surely do something that would violate their Sabbath rules. The Wonderful Man Jesus always shows up where people are hurting and needy. Such is the heart of our Lord. He desires to heal the hurts, to bind the wounds, to restore strength, to straighten out situations. The Lord is always present in the place of hurting, and He’ll always move toward the one who is hurting the most. If you’re hurting today, the Lord will find His way to where you’re sitting and come alongside of you especially, singularly, particularly. Jesus likened Himself to the shepherd who leaves ninety-nine of his flock in order to find the one that’s lost (Luk_15:3-7). That’s our Lord. Jesus told us that wherever two or three are gathered in His Name, He’s in their midst (Mat_18:20). And yet why is it in the Christian community that, although we believe this theoretically, we refer people away from the church consistently? If a person battles alcohol, we refer him to AA. If a marriage is in danger, we refer the couple to a seminar. If parents are having troubles with their teenagers, we refer them to counseling. I am not against AA or marriage seminars or counseling.

However, I suggest that they have become substitutes because people no longer believe they can come into church with their withered hand and that Jesus will meet them there and touch them miraculously. Instead, they believe they must go through hours and hours of dialogue and deep inner searching before they can find an answer. I suggest to you that just as Jesus was in the synagogue dealing with the man with the withered hand, He is in this place, dealing with any of us who acknowledge our weakness, our paralysis. The Powerful Command “Stand forth,” Jesus said to the man with the paralyzed hand, perhaps hoping to stir up some sense of compassion with the hard hearts of the Pharisees as they viewed a man whose right arm dangled helplessly at his side. And then He said something so essential when He said, “Stretch forth thine hand.” “Wait a minute,” the man could have said. “That’s easy for You to say. My hand is paralyzed. How can I stretch it forth?” The man could have argued with Jesus. After all, he didn’t know who Jesus was. Instead, however, he simply obeyed. He didn’t argue. He didn’t debate. He simply said, “Okay,” and as he stretched out his hand, the Lord met him in that place because in the Lord’s declaration there is dynamic. When God speaks, power is released. In God’s commandments are God’s “enablements.” If you can grab that simple concept, the Word will become extremely exciting to you. To you who are saying, “I’m so depressed. I’ve had demons cast out. I’ve gone for inner healing. I’ve had counseling. I’ve read every self-help book, and followed every techniqueall to no avail,” this wonderful Man comes and says, “Rejoice evermore. This is the will of God” (see 1Th_5:16-18). You can either argue with Him, or you can say, “If the Word tells me to rejoice evermore, I will now start rejoicing.” And in the very act of beginning to rejoice, you’ll find reason to continue to rejoice. The Word says, “Husbands, love your wives…” (see Eph_5:25). “Oh, but you don’t know my wife. You don’t know what we’ve been through,” you might say. You can argue and debate and go to seminars and read books until you’re blue in the faceor you can say, “The apostle Paul, inspired by the Spirit of God, simply tells me to love my wife. So I will love my wife.” And because you’re doing it, God will give you the power to carry it out. “Wives, submit to your husbands…” (see Eph_5:22). You can argue and say why this is impossible. Or you can say, “Lord, in Your commandment is Your enablement. I will do it today.” And you will receive power. If you’re struggling with drugs, alcohol, pornography, the Lord would say to you today, “Reckon yourself dead unto sin, but alive to Jesus Christ” (see Rom_6:11). Therefore, if you go home, throw it away, and say, “I’m going to obey the command of Christ,” you’ll find power and victory. Maybe you have a problem exaggerating or lying. The Word says, “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor…” (Eph_4:25). Simply do it today. Dear, precious people: Every one of us is withered in some area of our lives. We know that. But the solution does not lie in seminars or books. The solution is simply to obey the command of Christ. And as you do, He’ll meet you at that point and give you the power to carry it out. Once I quit saying why I can’t; once I quit arguing with the Word and saying, “It’s not that easy”; once I quit saying, “I’m an exception to the rule,” and instead say, “Lord, if You say it, I’ll do it. Period,“He meets me there and a miracle takes place. The choice is yours. Stand forth. Stretch out your hand. And be made whole.

Mark 3:6

The Pharisees and Herodians had been enemies for years. But now the Pharisees, a religious group, and the Herodians, a political party, found themselves united in their opposition to Jesus. This was as unlikely as seeing the Pro-Choice and Pro-Life movements saying, “Let’s join forces.” Yet even though Jesus’ work was being belittled by the Pharisees, the Herodians, the scribes, and others, His work is about to be blessed by the Father…

Mark 3:7

Why would Jesus forbid the “free advertising” of the unclean spirits? I believe part of the answer lies in the fact that demonic spirits are not only called unclean spirits, but lying spirits (1Ki_22:22; 2Ch_18:21). And of what use is the word of a liar?

Mark 3:13

The crowd was surrounding Him. Healing was flowing from Him. People were being touched and blessed by Him. And yet Jesus withdrew, no doubt following the directive of His Father.

Mark 3:14

Matthew tells us Jesus spent the night in prayer before choosing His disciples. I used to think He did this to receive direction and confirmation from His Father in order that He might choose twelve men who would impact and influence the world most radically. But now I suspect He was praying, “Father, keep Me from choosing those who seem successful outwardly” because look who He chose:

Mark 3:16

Simon, whose name means “Shifting Sand,” was given a new name, which means “Rock.” If you could choose anyone in all of humanity to be your disciples, would you have chosen Petera man who would deny he even knew you?

Mark 3:17

Jesus called James and John sons of thunder no doubt because of their violent tempers. “Let’s call down fire and destroy this city,” they said (see Luk_9:54). “Those guys aren’t part of our group, Lord, but they’re preaching in Your name. Let’s forbid them” (see Mar_9:38). Would you have chosen a couple of guys who wanted to blow people away and burn people up if your message was peace, grace, and love?

Mark 3:18

How about Matthew? Would you have wanted to spend three years with an IRS agent? Would you have included a man who would doubt you were even alive? James the son of Alphaeus is also called James the Lessnot a very impressive description. Simon is also called the Zealot (Act_1:13). The zealots were those who wanted to violently overthrow the Roman government. If your message was that your kingdom was not of this world, would you choose a political radical like Simon?

Mark 3:19

Would you have chosen Judas? More importantly, would you have called him “Friend” even as he betrayed you? (see Mat_26:50). Yet with the exception of Judas, Jesus’ disciples became men who did indeed turn the world upside down because of His Spirit within them. This means that when Jesus chose you and me, He knew we would also be changed and eventually would be those who impact the world now and eternally. He chose us not because of who we are, but because of who He sees we can be. When I make choices, sometimes they’re good; sometimes they’re bad. Why? Because my knowledge is limited. God, however, has no limitations on what He knows. If my knowledge was limitless like God’s, I would buy a lottery ticket. Because I would know exactly which numbers to choose, it wouldn’t be gambling, but a wise investment. So, too, God picks winners. You might feel like a loser. Those around you might even call you a loser. But the fact that you were chosen by God, who sees the big picture, means you are a winner. We need to realize that everyone who names the Name of Jesusregardless of her personality, or of the doctrines he may embraceis a winner because they have been chosen by Him. And we need to treat each other accordingly.

Mark 3:20

After seeing Jesus’ work blessed, now we see it blasphemed. “He’s out of His mind,” said His friends. “He’s so busy preaching and teaching and healing that He’s not even eating.” But Jesus would say, “Doing My Father’s will is that which sustains and refreshes Me” (see Joh_4:32-34). So, too, haven’t you found that praying for someone, sharing with someone, doing something practical for the kingdom is that which energizes you?

Mark 3:22

“To say I’m casting out demons by the power of demons is illogical,” said Jesus. “Why would Satan want to defeat himself?”

Mark 3:27

In this one-verse parable, Jesus likens Satan to a strong man who, if allowed, seeks to control our families, friends, neighbors, joy, health, and blessings. What must we do? Before we can wrest goods from Satan’s control, free people from his grasp, release resources from his restriction, we must first bind the strong man. The binding of the strong man is done in prayer. Too often we rush in to rescue or reclaim without first binding Satan through prayer. We can do more than pray, but we can’t do anything until we pray. To think you don’t have time to pray is as foolish as thinking that, because you have places to go, things to do, people to see, you don’t have time to stop for gas for your careven though the needle on the gauge is to the left of “Empty.” If you’re witnessing or serving without praying, you’re fighting a battle you’re sure to lose. The strong man must be bound. Prayer must be given priority.

Mark 3:28

According to 1Jn_2:2, Jesus died not only for our sins, but for the sins of the whole world. “All manner of sin shall be forgiven all men,” He said (see Mat_12:31). Every sin committed by any man or woman has already been paid for and forgiven because of Calvary. When Jesus said, “It is finished,” the price was paid for all humanity. But there is one sin that will lead to eternal damnation: failure to believe in Jesus Christ, the Provision for sin. The blasphemy of the Spirit is saying, “I don’t need Jesus.” That’s the one and only sin that will damn a person. You’ll never be held accountable for the candy bar you pocketed twenty years ago. You’ll never be held accountable for the lustful thought you had five weeks ago. You’ll never be held accountable for the lie you told ten minutes ago. But you will be held accountable if you blaspheme the Spirit. I find it interesting that Jesus addresses the subject of the blasphemy of the Spirit in conjunction with the accusations that He had an unclean spirit. Like the scribes in Jesus’ day, unable to deny the things he sees the Lord doing in the lives of others, he who refuses to receive Christ will eventually have no other choice but to attribute them to insanity or fanaticism. And it is then that he moves perilously close to eternal damnation.

Mark 3:31

Chapter 3 has presented a new nation, no longer based upon the twelve tribes of Israel, but upon the twelve apostles; a new family; no longer comprised of Jesus’ biological mother and brothers, but of anyone who does the will of God. And in establishing a new nation, and a new family, Jesus opens the door to a whole new understanding of true religion.