Binding up God and Living like Pirates: ​Mark 3:20-35

Well,
Did you hear it? That terrifying verse in Mark’s Gospel warning us against the eternal sin for which there is no forgiveness?

I think it’s worth unpacking this morning.
 
One understanding of the unforgivable sin Jesus warns about in today’s Gospel is the very deliberate—once-and-for-all—turning of our hearts against God—a rigid position in which we stand unmovable, with hearts of stone inclined towards hatred of God, of the Good, possibility, relationship, potential.
 
It’s a kind of air-tight certainty—a kind of righteous knowledge that leaves no room for the potential of something greater than ourselves—no room for mystery or spirit or wonder.
 
It is the intentional, determined thwarting of God’s spirit, and of God’s people in God’s creation.

​What that unforgivable sin is NOT is the presence of doubt. Or anger. Or questioning our faith and our Christian story and ritual.
 
Anger, fear, doubt, questioning, even periods of feeling in exile, or feeling alienated by or from God are all part of our very human spiritual journey--
 
It’s okay to wake up some mornings and think—wait a minute—this doesn’t make any sense—my life doesn’t make sense—the world doesn’t make sense—the Church doesn’t make sense—it’s even okay to say GOD doesn’t make any sense--!

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