Mark 3:13-35

Friend, let’s be real. Have you ever wondered why Jesus called the twelve disciples -- like what made them special? Why those guys? How about reading through Scripture and seeing that there is an unforgivable sin? Do you ever fear that you have committed it and felt the fear and shame of not knowing if you are “really saved?” Last question: do you feel lonely? Your family and friends might be there, but you still feel the emptiness of --well, life? If you identify with any of these, I am so glad you tuned in because we are going to work through Mark 3:13-35 where we learn that Bold is… trusting Jesus even in strange circumstances.IntroI will never forget the day that I was on the bus in 4th grade. One of the girls I sat near told me that if I ever said that the Holy Spirit did not exist (or even thought it), I was definitely going to hell because that was an unforgivable sin. Talk about gut wrenching. Not something you want to hear as a kid. She meant well, she was passionate and excited, but that it the problem with poor exegesis… that’s not what the verse means.If you have ever thought this, DON’T WORRY! We will clear all this up. Here on the Bold is… podcast, I like to read the passage together then break it down verse by verse. If you are interested in following along with me, I am reading from the New Living Translation today.This is Mark 3:13-3513 Afterward, Jesus went up on a mountain and called out the ones he wanted to go with him. And they came to him. 14 Then he appointed twelve of them and called them his apostles. They were to accompany him, and he would send them out to preach, 15 giving them authority to cast out demons. 16 These are the twelve he chose:     Simon (whom he named Peter),     17 James and John (the sons of Zebedee, but Jesus nicknamed them “Sons of Thunder”),     18 Andrew,     Philip,     Bartholomew,     Matthew,     Thomas,     James (son of Alphaeus),     Thaddaeus,     Simon (the zealot),     19 Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him). 20 One time Jesus entered a house, and the crowds began to gather again. Soon he and his disciples couldn’t even find time to eat. 21 When his family heard what was happening, they tried to take him away. “He’s out of his mind,” they said. 22 But the teachers of religious law who had arrived from Jerusalem said, “He’s possessed by Satan, the prince of demons. That’s where he gets the power to cast out demons.” 23 Jesus called them over and responded with an illustration. “How can Satan cast out Satan?” he asked. 24 “A kingdom divided by civil war will collapse. 25 Similarly, a family splintered by feuding will fall apart. 26 And if Satan is divided and fights against himself, how can he stand? He would never survive. 27 Let me illustrate this further. Who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger—someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house. 28 “I tell you the truth, all sin and bla