Crunched fenders.  Irreparably crooked handlebars.  And a serious case of road rash.  These were the minor consequences of an epic bike crash.  Sure, there was the occasional broken arm.  But it was something else we truly dreaded.  We knew that a bike wreck would inevitably summon our mothers with a first aid remedy formulated by demons.

Mercurochrome was one of many common mercury-based antiseptics in use in the Seventies.  It was a bright red liquid fire in a tiny brown bottle.   Our mothers would liberally paint it on our open wounds.  And whatever pain you felt from the road rash was quickly forgotten when the searing pain of mercurochrome took hold. 

Mercurochrome and other drugs containing mercury first came under scrutiny in 1978 as part of the FDA’s general review of over-the-counter antiseptics.  While there was no evidence of mass Mercurochrome poisoning, medical literature contained scattered reports of mercury toxicity due to its use.  It took another twenty years for the FDA to declare mercurochrome “not generally recognized as safe and effective” and forbid its sale across state lines.   Children today have no idea how good they have it with lidocaine and triple-antibiotic ointment.

Despite the toxic things we put on, and in, our bodies, God has made our frame fearfully and wonderfully able to fight all kinds of disease and effect remarkable healing.  The healing of a simple wound or cut is nothing short of miraculous.  The human body has a truly remarkable ability to heal.  

But when wounds do not heal, they may become septic and deadly.  And this is true of other types of wounds we receive.  When emotional and spiritual wounds go unhealed, they become septic to our heart, mind, and spirit.  And no spiritual wound is more toxic than unforgiveness.  The author of Hebrews warns us.

See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.  Hebrews 12:15.

Grace and the bitterness of unforgiveness are antithetical.  The biblical word for forgiveness means to “send away” or “release.”  Linguists point out that the ancient words we translate ‘forgiveness’ are connected to untying a knot.   And indeed, when we are unforgiving or unforgiven, we are tied in knots.  Only grace can cut through the Gordian knot of unforgiveness and affect deep healing. 

Psalm 130 speaks of “plenteous redemption.”  Leviticus 16:30 promises, “For on this day shall atonement be made for you to cleanse you. You shall be clean before the Lord from all your sins.” The OT Prophets speak of God casting “all [our] sins behind his back” and “into the sea of forgetfulness.”  Separating us from our sin as far as east and west.  

Likewise, the New Testament tells us that Jesus came “to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins.” And Paul writes, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.”  

And in Mark 3, in response to men who were enemies of grace, Jesus makes a truly amazing statement. “Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter.”  Matthew’s parallel account even adds, “And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven.”   This is outrageous grace.   This gives even the most grievous sinner hope. Through repentance and faith, none of our sins form an impenetrable barrier to God’s love! 

But this outrageous grace is immediately contrasted with stunning warning about unbelief.  What follows is unarguably the most frightening passage in the Bible. “But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness but is guilty of an eternal sin.” 

What exactly is this unpardonable, unforgiveable sin?  What does it mean to blaspheme the Holy Spirit?  And more to the point have you committed the “sin unto death” from which there is no hope of grace, mercy, or salvation but only the wrath and curse of God?   Without a doubt, this verse weighs heavily on us in the dark of night. 

Join us as we examine Mark 3:20-35 and consider what Jesus is saying about faith and unbelief in this passage and what it means to blaspheme the Holy Spirit.  We meet Sundays at 10:30 am on the square in Pottsville, Arkansas right next to historic Potts’ Inn for worship.  Get directions here or contact us for more info.  Or join us on Facebook Live @PottsvilleARP or YouTube.