Thursday: Go Into All the World
Daily Lesson for Thursday 26th of September 2024
Read Mark 16:14-20. What did Jesus say to His disciples when He appeared to them, and what do these words mean to us today?
The first words of Jesus to His disciples are recorded only in indirect discourse in Mark 16:14. He rebukes them for their unbelief and hardheartedness. This question of unbelief is not simply a modern problem. As we already have seen, the original disciples of Jesus struggled with belief (Matthew 28:17, John 20:24-29), and they were with Jesus in the flesh and saw, again and again, the miracles.
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But by various proofs, He demonstrated to them the reality of His resurrection. Then their testimony, combined with the evidence summarized in Monday’s study, forms a firm foundation for faith.
Jesus then commissions His disciples to take the gospel to the world. His command is expansive. They are to go to the entire world and proclaim the gospel to all creation. Jesus then explains the outcome of their work for weal and for woe—believers will be saved, unbelievers condemned.
Jesus also describes signs that will accompany the disciples’ work—casting out demons, speaking new languages, protection from harm, and healing the sick. Some people have mistakenly interpreted Mark 16:18 as an affirmation for Christians to show their faith by picking up venomous snakes. No such presumptuous action is authorized here. What Jesus is describing is protection when one is involved in mission, such as Paul’s service for others, as in Acts 28:3-6.
Of course, the Bible does not teach that Christians will always be protected from harm. At times God sees fit to work a miracle to further the gospel cause. But sometimes Christians suffer because of their witness. In that circumstance their patient endurance is another sign to unbelievers of the power of faith.
And then, after doing all He did here, “He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God” (Mark 16:19, NKJV). Jesus ascended to sit at the right hand of God, the place of supreme power, for Jesus had defeated all the forces of evil.
Notice the last verse. Though they went “everywhere,” preaching the gospel, they did not go alone. “The Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen” (Mark 16:20, NKJV). He was with them then and promises to be with us now as we continue the work they started.
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“ ‘I am with you always, even to the end of the age’ ” (Matthew 28:20, NKJV). What comfort can, and should, we take from this promise as we, too, seek to proclaim the gospel “everywhere”? |
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Jesus' presence gives us strength, protection, hope, courage, and guidance. Even when facing challenges or opposition, we can trust that He is by our side, supporting and empowering us. This promise also affirms that His presence is not temporary but continuous, providing hope and confidence in our efforts to share His message with the world.
The commission to take the message to all parts of the world applies to us today. Jesus explained how it should be done. He said that it should be done by preaching and the working of miracles. He also said that he will provide the power for these things to happen. Additionally, he said that some will believe and some will not believe.
In our churches today we see preaching but little or no miracles. Is it because we do not believe in miracles? What happens if and when someone gets sick in church, while the preaching is happening? What should we expect?
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”
According to the gospel of Mark, preaching the gospel should precede baptism. Although some Adventists believe that baptismal candidates need not be instructed in the fundamentals of our faith, I argue that such knowledge is essential due to the existence of multiple denominations with varied interpretations of biblical teachings. Before baptism, individuals must comprehend the commitment they are making. Additionally, the Seventh-day Adventist Church has been divinely established to spread the Three Angels Messages, which baptismal candidates should understand prior to baptism, as they are expected to join in proclaiming these messages.
"And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.”
In the so-called 'heathen' regions of the world, the propagation of the gospel is often coupled with supernatural signs and wonders. Is it possible that God, in His infinite capacity for empathy, elects to communicate with individuals in accordance with their particular comprehension of His existence? This stands in contrast to Christian societies, where such extraordinary events are notably scarce.
Shalom my friends,
I want to share my experience with the second accompanying sign mentioned in verse 17; they shall speak with renewed tongues, The version I'm quoting is from the Institute for Scriptural Research, called The Scriptures. I quote from this version because it captures the essence of Zephaniah 3:9. I first ran into this as was studying the incident between Miriam, Aaron, and their brother. Miriam became unclean because she caused others to think less of her brother. I studied the concept of evil speech, I saw that this was a result of the fall, The serpent spoke evil of God reducing Him in the mind of the woman, which led her to usurp God's authority.
Now having been instructed by the Word, I had to make a decision, would I engage in speech that might cause someone to think less of another person. It wasn't easy allowing God to bring about this change, it required having The Holy Spirit keep constant vigil over my mouth. Change is rarely easy, even today, almost 20 years later He still must keep vigil, at times stopping me as the words are forming in my mouth. I learned that this instruction also applies to the things that are known to be true, if what I'm saying is true and my motive is selfish, then I stand guilty before my God and must repent.
I thank God every day for the blessing of this lesson, and I give Him permission to guide my speech by whatever means necessary. I find myself today, when I have belittling thoughts of another person, The Holy Spirit arresting my thought and leading me to repentance. But I can at any time take control of the helm and steer my own course, it never ends well.
I share this with you because it truly is a miracle, how the Word of God can change a man, who was formerly bent on evil and hated people with a vehement hatred, into a person that I'm still learning how to walk in his shoes. If we look, we will see these accompanying signs everywhere we look, even in our own lives.
Shalom
Joshua, again, thank you for sharing.
What you mentioned is an all-too common human failing - saying things that put others down, perhaps in an attempt to make ourselves look better.
But there is a time when it is necessary to "engage in speech that might cause someone to think less of another person." The problem is that too many of us think it is "necessary" when it is not.
It takes the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit to know when it is necessary to "engage in speech that might cause someone to think less of another person" and when it is not. It is an area where I know have failed too often.
Jesus waited until the end of His ministry to expose the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees in public - so the people would know that it was not safe to follow their example. But even then, "tears were in His voice as He uttered His scathing rebukes."
We need the mind of Jesus! (Phil. 2:5)