C. S. Lewis proposed a formula for considering Jesus. He is either a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord. There are no other options. If the whole thing was a lie, some giant con, why did all but one disciple die as martyrs? Why die for a lie? The next option is front and center of our next section from the Gospel of Mark.
“Jesus entered a house, and the crowd gathered again so that they were not even able to eat. When his family heard this, they set out to restrain him, because they said, “He’s out of his mind.” The scribes who had come down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and, “He drives out demons by the ruler of the demons.” So he summoned them and spoke to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand but is finished. But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can plunder his house. “Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven for all sins and whatever blasphemies they utter. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”—because they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.” (Mark 3:20–30, CSB)
Jesus’ family was concerned for His mental health and thought He was crazy. So, they left Nazareth and traveled to Capernaum. Between their leaving and their arrival, Mark places the scribes’ accusation that Jesus was demon-possessed. While different in the underlying cause, the concern of Jesus’ family and the allegation of the scribes are the same – Jesus is crazy, nuts, over the edge, and not to be believed.
Jesus’ response is very sane. A house divided will fall. He also explained His power in binding the strong man to free the captives. We’ve already encountered several instances in Mark’s gospel of Jesus doing exactly that. Casting out the demonic and healing the captives. Jesus is Lord of all. “so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow— in heaven and on earth and under the earth—” (Philippians 2:10, CSB)
And then we get to the controversy and the “unpardonable sin.” Let’s first recognize what Jesus said about forgiveness. “Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven for all sins and whatever blasphemies they utter.” All sins, all blasphemies. That’s gigantic. Jesus’ blood can wash away all sin; there’s nothing in your past He can’t or won’t forgive.
And then Jesus said, “But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin.” Mark added the explanation, “because they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.” Satan loves to make us think this is a landmine we can easily trip over. One erroneous word or thought concerning the Holy Spirit and the game’s over. Satan is a liar.
First, there is the matter of knowledgeable intent. The scribes knew scripture. They knew they were calling good evil and the holy profane. Second is the matter of the heart. Those who commit the unpardonable sin either don’t care or are proud of their blasphemy. Their hearts are hard and cold. There is no forgiveness because there is no repentance.
For those concerned that they may have committed this sin, your concern shows that your heart is not cold, hard, and unrepentant. There may be other sins you need to take to God, but this is not one of them. Satan is a liar; do not let him steal your joy in the Lord.
- Mark: A House Divided - May 22, 2025
- Mark: Crowds and Apostles - May 19, 2025
- Mark: Lord of the Sabbath - May 14, 2025
