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How Jesus Related to Family Problems
This chapter is based on Matthew 12:22-50; Mark 3:20-35.
The sons of Joseph were far from being in sympathy with Jesus
in His work. The reports about His life and labors filled them with
concern. They heard that He devoted entire nights to prayer, that
through the day He was surrounded by people and did not even take
time to eat. His friends felt He was wearing Himself out. They were
unable to find a reason for His attitude toward the Pharisees. Some
even feared that He might be losing His mind.
His brothers keenly felt the disapproval that came on them
through their relation to Jesus. They were offended and angry that
He denounced the Pharisees. They thought someone must persuade
Him to stop working in this way, and they got Mary to unite with
them, thinking that through His love for her they might succeed in
getting Him to be more cautious.
The Pharisees had repeated the charge, “He casts out demons by
the ruler of the demons.”
Matthew 9:34
. Christ told them that those
who spoke against Him, not recognizing His divine character, could
receive forgiveness; through the Holy Spirit they might see their
error and repent. But those who reject the work of the Holy Spirit are
placing themselves where repentance cannot come to them. When
people willfully reject the Spirit and declare it to be from Satan, they
cut off the channel by which God can communicate with them.
The Pharisees did not actually believe the charge they brought
against Jesus. Those religious leaders had heard the Spirit’s voice
in their own hearts declaring Him to be the Anointed One of Israel.
In His presence, they had realized their unholiness and longed for
righteousness. But after rejecting Him, it would be too humiliating
to receive Him as the Messiah. To avoid acknowledging truth, they
tried to dispute the Savior’s teaching. They could not prevent Him
from working miracles, but they did everything in their power to
misrepresent Him. Still the convicting Spirit of God followed them,
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