When you hear the word "gospel," what do you think of? A biography of Jesus? A story explaining the good news that Jesus came to die for the sins of mankind? I think Mark had even more to say to the readers of his day.
Most bible scholars believe the gospel of Mark was written either during or shortly after the time that the temple was destroyed, in AD 70. One of the main underlying themes of the book, is that the temple (the house of God) will be destroyed, and Mark is offering a new way to serve the God of Israel, through the character of Jesus. In Mark's story, Jesus even plays an active role in bringing the old religious establishment to an end!
As I've mentioned in other blog posts, Mark is clever - the book is filled with parables, or "riddles." Some passages are ambiguous. They may not seem to make much sense, until we find other passages that help solve the puzzle. By piecing the clues together, the reader (those who have eyes to see and ears to hear) can understand the key messages that Mark wants to convey.
Mark presents an important riddle in chapter three:
Mark 3:20 Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. 21 When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”
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.”
This passage may have raised a few questions to the reader:
Jesus was out of his mind? He was possessed?
If Jesus is not "satan" then who is? Who is the strong man? Mark wants us to understand that Satan is represented by Jesus' religious opponents! We are told in 1:13 that Jesus would be tested by Satan. Later in the gospel we find Jesus being tested by his religious opponents (i.e. 8:11, 10:2, 12:15).
What kingdom, what house? The current religious establishment is Satan's kingdom; his house is the temple!
Is it a coincidence that the confrontation begins with Jesus entering a house, and that the name Beelzebul means lord of the house? You decide!
How can Jesus tie up the strong man, and what does blasphemy have to do with any of this?
Let's move forward to Jesus' final confrontation in Mark's gospel. Jesus is brought into the temple (the house). He is questioned by the high priest (the strong man):
53 They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together... 55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. 56 Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree.
57 Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.’” 59 Yet even then their testimony did not agree.
60 Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 61 But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.
Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”
62 “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
63 The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. 64 “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?”
This is the climax of the gospel - Up to this point, Jesus has been secretive about his identity. Now, for the first time, he publicly acknowledges that he is the Messiah, the Son of God! This is the very moment when Jesus ties up the strong man - The high priest, by accusing Jesus of blasphemy, has unwittingly committed an eternal sin! Remember when Jesus (who has been arrested and brought to trial) taught that whoever blasphemes against the holy spirit will never be forgiven? He also said in chapter 13:
11 Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
At his trial, Jesus is possessed - by the holy spirit, speaking through him!
And the high priest commits blasphemy:
The strong man unwittingly commits the eternal sin. He has been bound.
Now it's time for Jesus to plunder his house.
How?
Jesus dies.
What happens when he dies?
Mark 15:37-38 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
Mark's message:
The temple will fall.
A kingdom divided cannot stand.
A house divided cannot stand.
But the kingdom of God is near,
and another temple will be built:
One not made with human hands (14:58),
where Jesus is lord of the house.
Mark 1:15 “The time has come,” he said.
“The kingdom of God has come near.
Repent and believe the good news!”
What do you think?
Special thanks to Chad Myers for his insight on the above passages! If you enjoyed this blog entry, you might enjoy reading about the time Pilate unwittingly made an offering to the God if Israel.
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