8th Day of Lent, March 13, 2025

Mark 3:22-30 <- Click to read now

Today’s passage contains the missing verses from yesterday’s reading.  It is set aside because it’s quite a different situation than Jesus’ family claiming, “He’s out of his mind!”  It’s vastly different because these religious teachers accused Jesus of being possessed by the prince of demons.  “He’s not out of his mind; he’s being manipulated by the enemy.”  What a wild statement! 

At this point, they were grasping at straws to find whatever reason they could use to reject Jesus and his validity.  Jesus corrected their ridiculous accusation, but he also gave them a stern warning because of this baseless claim.  In essence, they likened the Holy Spirit to Satan.  In essence, they likened God to Satan. 

Those are dangerous waters.  When we use whatever means we can to discredit God and His work through Christ and through the Holy Spirit, it can lead to a life in full rejection of God until the very end.  Why is that so unforgivable?  Because if we won’t believe in the One sent to forgive us, how can we receive that forgiveness?  If we won’t believe in the power of the Holy Spirit to free us, how can we be set free?  If we won’t believe in the love of God manifest through the work of the Holy Spirit, how will we ever experience that love?

Scripture tells us the Lord is patient with us, not wanting any to perish, but for all to come to repentance.  That’s a struggle for so many today, but this is all the more reason to keep shining the light of Christ and keep sharing the Gospel message, so all might come to know the saving grace of God through Jesus Christ the Son, empowered by the work of the Holy Spirit.  Let’s pray.

Loving God, help us to trust in Your grace, and help us to trust in the power of the Holy Spirit.  May we continue to be a people that turns to You, trusting in the power of the Holy Spirit to free us from sin and mold us into a new creation.  May we also be a people that encourages the world around us to turn to You and experience the freedom and forgiveness only You can offer.  Amen.