.svg)
Mark 3: 22-30 (NIV) 22 And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.” 23 So Jesus called them over to him and began to speak to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26 And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. 27 In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man’s house. 28 Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, 29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.” 30 He said this because they were saying, “He has an impure spirit.”
This week, we reflect on one of the most serious challenges in our Christian walk: blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, as found in Mark 3:22–30. The background of today’s passage centers on the theme of the misunderstood Savior—misunderstood both by those who follow Him and by those who oppose Him.
Those who follow Him are represented by His own family members, while those who oppose Him are represented by the teachers of the law. In verses 20 and 21, we read that Jesus had gone home and entered a house. His presence attracted such a large crowd that He and His disciples did not even have time to eat. Concerned for His well-being, His family came to take charge of Him. They believed He was out of His mind—concluding that only someone who was mentally unstable would so drastically upset the established norms of social and religious life.
Jesus’ actions had disrupted the traditional social order to such an extent that the teachers of the law came down from Jerusalem to assess the situation—and, if necessary, to silence Him. While His family thought He was mentally unwell, the teachers of the law went even further: they accused Jesus of being possessed by Beelzebul (Satan) and claimed that He cast out demons by the power of the prince of demons.
Despite having witnessed Jesus’ power firsthand, they deliberately and irreverently attributed the work of the Holy Spirit to Satan. This does not mean they misunderstood everything about Jesus. In fact, they recognized that what He was doing was extraordinary. However, they willfully chose to operate under a false interpretation of His mission. They rejected the truth they had seen and heard.
Other opponents of Jesus may not have fully understood Him. Some perhaps had a partial understanding of His mission. But ultimately, they refused to believe that Jesus is Lord. Without a willing heart to believe in Jesus as Lord, one cannot recognize Him as the Christ—and therefore cannot live in obedience to Him. Without obedience to Jesus Christ, it is impossible to receive the Holy Spirit of Truth. Obedience is essential for anyone who desires the indwelling of the Spirit.
In the case of the teachers of the law, their sin was not ignorance. They had witnessed the power and authority of Jesus. They acknowledged His power and His authority. But instead of attributing His works to God, they attributed them to Satan. Jesus responded to their accusation by exposing its irrationality: "How can Satan drive out Satan?" (v. 23). This key question invites us to reflect deeply: How can Satan work against himself?
Through this, Jesus offered great assurance to His faithful followers. He made it clear that He did not come in the power of Satan but with power over Satan. Christ has overcome the powers of darkness, and anyone who attributes His power to Satan is guilty of blaspheming the Holy Spirit.
The only way out of such a grievous sin is to recognize it, repent, and seek forgiveness. All who sincerely repent of their sins find rest in the joy of God’s forgiveness.
AMEN
Prof Rev Dr Christopher Byaruhanga
Dean, Bishop Tucker School of Divinity and Theology
Uganda Christian University
