Mark 3:20-27

²⁰ Then Jesus came into a house, and a crowd came together again, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat bread. ²¹ And when the ones responsible for him heard about it, they went out to collect him, because they were saying, “He is confused.” ²² And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He has Beelzebub in him,” and ” he is casting out the demons by means of the prince of demons.” ²³ So he called them to him and said to them using illustrations,[1] “How can Satan cast out Satan? ²⁴ If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot endure. ²⁵ And if a family is divided against itself, that family will not be able to endure. ²⁶ And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot endure, but is coming to an end. ²⁷ But no one can enter a strong man’s house and steal his belongings, until he first subdues the strong man. Then he will be able to rob his house.

divided family

Although Jesus’ ministry by word and power is going strong, Mark tells us that some from his own family have become convinced that he is confused. There is some division even in his own family. And the rumours about him being possessed himself will not die. But in this context, Jesus challenges his listeners to look at what is happening. It is actually Satan’s kingdom which is suffering the most from Jesus’ ministry. The same is true today. Whenever a person or family or nation turns to God and believes the message, there is a kingdom shift.

LORD, give us time to reach our families and communities with your message. Give us courage to try, in spite of the resistance they might put up.

[1] παραβολη (3:23; 4:2, 10f, 13, 30, 33f; 7:17; 12:1, 12; 13:28).