Commission. Mark 16:14-18.
Afterward, he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at the table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name, they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; “They will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
Dear Household of Faith,
Jesus finally showed himself to the eleven and shared his plan with them. Despite their previous doubts, these were the men Jesus was going to use to accomplish his purpose.
Admonished (v. 14). The disciples had refused to accept the testimony of others about the resurrection. One of them, Thomas, even said that he had to see and touch, for him to believe. Yet Jesus had told them countless times before what would happen. Jesus rebuked them because he had to appear to them, in order for them to believe, and in the hope that they would now believe and not doubt. There was work to do.
Assigned (v. 15-16). This is what is popularly known as the Great Commission. Jesus’ plan was for the Kingdom to be established first in people’s hearts through believing the gospel and yielding their lives to him. He would come later to establish the Kingdom as a physical realm, but until then, the proclamation of the gospel would bring people to submit to his rule in their lives.
Assured (v. 17-18). Signs would accompany those who put their faith in Jesus. Some people have misunderstood this to mean that everyone who believes will exhibit these signs. Signs are for the purpose of confirmation of the gospel message. They are neither a drama prop nor meant for the benefit of the evangelists. This passage is not, for instance, an invitation for people to drink poison, but rather an assurance against harm. Again, this is in the context of confirmation of the gospel message. We must understand that God allows some of his servants to be martyred because this brings glory to him and confirms the power of the gospel to transform. God is able to protect his servants from harm. But the important question is, would you be willing to suffer and die if that would bring people to the Kingdom and glorify God?
Your Loving Pastor Chris.