24.210 | The Great Commission | Mark 16:14-20 | God’s Word for Today with Pastor Nazario Sinon

God’s Word For Today

Text: Mark 16:14-20 ESV

14 [Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at 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.

15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.

16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues;

18 they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.

20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.]]

Mark 16:14-20 ESV

THE GREAT COMMISSION

Jesus appeared to the eleven apostles. He rebuked them for their unbelief when they heard the reports that He is risen. It isn't until Jesus presents His pierced hands and feet that the disciples fully believe (John 20:20, 26–27). The disciples have been characterized by hard hearts and preconceived ideas that blinded them to Jesus' real purpose. In many ways, we are like them. But, we are blessed that we have the Holy Spirit today who will guide us into truth (John 16:13) He testifies to our hearts who Jesus is (John 15:26).

After he cleared their doubts, the Lord Jesus commissioned them. He charged 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.”[v.15,16] The good news that Jesus died for our sins, buried and rose again. Whosoever will believe will have eternal life. He will be baptized as a testimony that he belongs to Jesus. Baptism is not a requirement for salvation, it's a response to salvation. When we are baptized, we are giving a public affirmation that we choose to follow Jesus.

The believers will be empowered by the Spirit. These will be the signs; 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 their hands on the sick, and they will recover. These happened during the Pentecost. These powers, in addition to gifts of healing and other miracles, were common in the early church age. During this time, many of God's prophets perform miracles so that their words would be validated. With the finalization of the canon of books having been determined to be God-breathed, we do not need miracles to affirm Jesus' words, do we?

After forty days, Jesus ascended to heaven. "And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight" (Acts 1:9). He sat down at the right hand of God. It is often used as a symbol for strength and power (Psa 18:35; 20:6). At God's right hand, Jesus acts as our advocate (1 John 2:1); an active witness that although everyone deserves hell(Rom 3:23; 6:23); those who have put their faith in Him are accounted righteousness (2 Cor 5:21).

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