December 26, 2013

“Mark: The Longer Ending”

Blessings folk!

Today’s reading:

Mark 16:9-20
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We have discussed this passage earlier...see previous posts.

Mark gives a strong synopsis of what had occurred.

• Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene and the ladies...they reported to the disciples. They refused to believe.
• Jesus appeared to the two on the way...they reported. The disciples did not believe.
• Jesus appeared to the Eleven and reproached them for their unbelief and hardness of heart.

Jesus then tells them what to do (what we call “The Great Commission&rdquo

• Go into all the world
• Preach the gospel to all creation
• Those who believe will be saved
• Those who disbelieve will be condemned
• Sign will accompany…
• casting out of demons
• speaking with new tongues
• picking up of serpents
• drinking deadly poisons
• lay hands on sick, they will recover
• all in the name of the Lord
• In the name of the Lord…
• there is protection
• there is provision
• there is power
• there is Presence

Jesus is then received up to heaven where He sat at the right hand of God.
They went out and preached…
- everywhere

• east to west
• Lord worked through them
• signs followed them...note, they did not follow/seek the signs. The signs followed them.
• the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation.

We are to do likewise.
Are we?
We must believe...not just bit and pieces. Believe all.
Do we?