Study 8 - People don't see what stares them in the face
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The crowds come again - wouldn't you want to see the amazing things that we have read about so far? And in all this activity Jesus didn't even have time to eat. He was rushed off his feet! !
A mistaken family
His family would have known more about His perfect character than anybody. They had been told years before and in the most miraculous way that He would "be great", the "Son of the Most High" (Luke 1: 32) and that He would have to suffer (Luke 2: 35). But as the years went by they had tended to forget who He was and why He had come. They even tried to boss Him around. With the best intentions they had ignored who He was and His purpose in life. But God's ways are different from our ways: "'My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways' declares the Lord, 'as the heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts'" (Isaiah 55:8,9).
Unbelieving teachers
In verse 22 we see something far more sinister. Teachers of the Old Testament law (the first five books of the bible) come to examine the life of Jesus. Others could see that Jesus was the one the Old Testament law and prophets spoke about but they deliberately mis-judge Him. They remark cuttingly that Jesus is 'from the devil'. Nevertheless Jesus speaks kindly to them despite their ignorance. He explains in a parable how foolish their position is. Surely the devil is not about to declare war on himself! In verse 27 Jesus shows that He has power over Satan who first tempted Eve, then Adam to sin. This has had terrible consequences for mankind ever since.
The phrase "I tell you the truth" prepares us for an important point. Firstly Jesus shows that if we trust Him all sins however bad, however many, will be forgiven. No-one is beyond hope. Secondly, however, those who blaspheme against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. The Holy Spirit's work is to make us look to Jesus to be saved. To blaspheme against Him is to refuse continually the offer of salvation and to harden your heart against Christ. The bible says that "Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son" John 3:18). These Pharisees knew the Holy Spirit had inspired the bible and that He was working on their own consciences as they studied Jesus' life but they refused to believe. Their position was dangerous!
A greater family
In verse 31 His family demand to see Him again but Jesus rebukes them by reminding them that all who believe are His family and have far greater privileges than any earthly family. "Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God" (Romans 8:14). We can only imagine how embarrassed His mother would have felt as this rebuke prompted her memories of the promises given at Jesus' birth. She had forgotten what God had said. Nevertheless Jesus had a great love for His mother as is shown in His care over her when He was dying on the cross. (1 Timothy 5:8 - "If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever").
Time to think
- Who are Jesus’ spiritual family?
- Why did Jesus accuse the Pharisees of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit?
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