Who is Jesus? C. S. Lewis and others have given three possible responses to that question. Some think Jesus was deluded into thinking he was something he was not. As if he thought he was the special Son of God, but he was sadly mistaken. Others think that Jesus was a liar, a deceiver or even demonic. As if he knew that he was not the Son of God and did things to fool people into following him away from God. The third option is that Jesus is who he said he was: the eternal Son of God who was one with the Father, who came to save his people from their sin. It is this third option, that Jesus is Divine, that the Bible clearly teaches and I proclaim to you.

Of course you must realize that your opinion of Jesus does not determine the truth. However, your understanding of Jesus does make a difference in your standing before the throne of God. In our passage we see those who have all three opinions about Jesus. Those who think Jesus deluded are confused and confounded. Those who think Jesus demonic are condemned. But those who know Jesus to be divine are included in the family of God. As you reflect on these different people, consider your own heart and your own relationship with Jesus.

In our passage, those who consider Jesus to be deluded are members of his own family. They come to take charge of him. Jesus is on a mission and knows that he has only three years for his earthly ministry. They know nothing of that, but they think they know best. In verse 31 we read that the family sends for Jesus, the way someone sends for a subordinate. Jesus does not come and does not let them control his mission.

When we are familiar with Jesus we are tempted to think that we can tell him what his ministry will be (especially his ministry through us). Remember that Peter went from declaring Jesus the Christ, the Son of the living God to trying to handle him (see Matthew 16:13-23). It will not do to have only enough knowledge of Jesus that we think we can determine what he will do in our lives. Do not limit Jesus by your demands of what he should do.

The teachers of the Law came to another conclusion about Jesus. They said he was demonic. "Sure Jesus does great things, heals people and casts out demons, but he does it by the power of the devil himself. We follow God. Jesus does not follow us, therefore, he does not follow God. He has power to do great things, but since he does not follow God (by that they mean follow them) he must be empowered of the devil." They had good reasoning powers and flawless logic. But when you start on the wrong premise, you will think logically to the wrong conclusion every time.

The teachers were wrong about Jesus, but more importantly, they were wrong about themselves. They thought that they were following the right path to God's good favor. They were wrong. They also needed Jesus to rescue them from sin.

Jesus showed the teachers the absurdity of their conclusion. Satan does not work to destroy his own works. Since Jesus was destroying the work of Satan, Jesus’ power was not from Satan. In fact, Jesus’ power is obviously stronger than Satan, because he is able to enter his house and take his goods (v 27). Jesus ministered by the power of the Holy Spirit. By calling the work of the Holy Spirit "the work of the Devil," the teachers were blaspheming the Holy Spirit which is an eternal sin.

Remember that from the cross Jesus forgave those who were killing him. Why is this sin against the Holy Spirit unforgivable? This has to do with the way we receive forgiveness in Christ. The death of Christ accomplishes redemption but it is the work of the Holy Spirit that applies redemption to our individual lives. The works of the Holy Spirit lead us to have faith in Christ and thus be saved. If we reject the work of the Holy Spirit, considering it the work of the Devil, then we block ourselves from the only power that can bring us to Jesus.

This sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is not just a rash word that escapes your mouth. It is a full rejection of the ministry of the Holy Spirit as the enemy rather than the salvation of God.

Jesus was not deluded. Jesus was not demonic. Don't treat him as either. Jesus is divine. Follow him and do God's will. Be part of the Family of God. Sit before the Word of God with an open heart. Open your heart and life to the Savior and you will find him to be your Savior.