Is there such a thing as an unpardonable sin? Is there some sin so heinous that it cannot be forgiven? I get asked this question often, and often we somehow expect that there are sins that simply cannot be forgiven. Sometimes, the question has to do with who can go to heaven. Over the next few days, we will look at what Jesus said about these things as found in Mark 3.

The context for this passage of Scripture has to do with the question that Mark repeatedly addresses–who is Jesus? In this context, Mark drives us to make a choice. Either Jesus is the Son of God who liberates the possessed or he is possessed. That is what the entire section is about (Mark 3:20-34).

Even Jesus’ family felt uncomfortable with what He was doing. Because of the crowds and the controversy surrounding His ministry, Jesus’ family came to get Him and take Him away, thinking He was out of His mind (Mark 3:21).They obviously wanted Him not to be so extreme and to calm down.

The officials also came from Jerusalem to examine Him and to determine whether or not His ministry was genuine. They concluded that Jesus could indeed cast out demons, but He did so under the authority of Satan. Jesus responded by pointing out the absurdity of their idea. Why would Satan cast out Satan? After speaking in parables (because of their unbelief), Jesus spoke a solemn word begun by the Greek “Amen, Amen,” a phrase which indicates a truth or fact which is an important and solemn fact.

Today, and during the next week, we will deal with this solemn fact.

The fact is two-fold: first that every kind of sin will be forgiven, even blasphemies, and second, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven (Mark 3:28-29).

We will deal with the second aspect over the next few days.

Jesus stated emphatically that the sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven (Mark 3:28). How is it possible for this to be true?

Let’s deal with the simple but profound truth: In our power, all sins are unpardonable. That’s the whole reason for what God did for us in Christ. His work on the cross means that every sin can be forgiven (Mark 3:28).

Paul described the horrible nature of sin among the people of Corinth (1 Corinthians 6:9). Then, he reminded the Corinthian church that they had committed those sins. Paul declared that such wickedness will not inherit the kingdom of God: “And that is what some of you were, but you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11).

The work of Christ on the cross means that there is nothing beyond His power. He can take our uncleanness and wash us by His blood. This, of course, is the power of the cross and the glory of Easter. No wonder the cross has beoome a revered symbol of God’s love.

At the same time, there is a terrible warning that we must heed. We will look at this warning in the days to come.

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