Basic HTML Version
Chapter 33—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 in regard to His life and labors filled them
with dismay. They heard that He devoted entire nights to prayer, that
through the day He was thronged by people, and did not even take
time to eat. His friends felt He was wearing Himself out; they were
unable to account for His attitude toward the Pharisees; and some
feared that His reason was becoming unsettled.
His brothers felt keenly the reproach that came upon them
through their relation to Jesus. They were indignant at His de-
nunciation of the Pharisees. He must be persuaded to cease this
manner of labor, and they induced Mary to unite with them, thinking
that through His love for her they might prevail on Him to be more
prudent.
The Pharisees had reiterated the charge, “He casteth out devils
through the prince of the devils.”
Matthew 9:34
. Christ told them
that those who spoke against Himself, not discerning His divine
character, might receive forgiveness; through the Holy Spirit they
might see their error and repent. But he who rejects the work of the
Holy Spirit is placing himself where repentance cannot come to him.
When men 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 themselves believe the charge they brought
against Jesus. Those dignitaries had heard the Spirit’s voice in their
[214]
own hearts declaring Him to be the Anointed of Israel. In His pres-
ence 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 Saviour’s teaching. They could not prevent Him from working
miracles, but they did everything in their power to misrepresent
190