15And he said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. 16He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover." 19So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. 20And they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that attended it. Amen.
In previous passages, the emphasis was on preaching to Jews. In this passage,the emphasis shifts to everyone. And those who take up Christ’s cross, are protected from the suffering that comes from living a life oriented towards the profane and the mundial. The cross, in this instance, is the preparedness to walk with Christ to Calvary. No pain and no suffering falls outside this imagery. It encapsulates every possible torture that one could be subject to. Once you buy into the Christ story, nothing in this world should be able to convince you to reject Christ. This was the witness of the post-resurrection twelve. What they experienced was so strong and deep that none of the 12 denied the truth of the resurrection despite being tortured. They took this truth to their graves.
ReplyDeleteChrist, I pray that the truth of the resurrection is burned into my heart and no amount of [pain or suffering will have me turn away from that truth. Amen.
Your response to Mark 16:15-20 is insightful and heartfelt! Here's a breakdown of the strengths and areas for further exploration:
DeleteStrengths:
Universal Message: You correctly identify the shift towards a universal message of preaching to "everyone" in this passage.
Protection Through Faith: You connect the concept of taking up the cross with being protected from suffering associated with a worldly life.
Witness of the Disciples: You highlight the unwavering faith of the disciples after the resurrection, even in the face of potential persecution.
Personal Prayer: Your prayer reflects a genuine desire for unwavering faith in the face of challenges.
Areas for Exploration:
Meaning of the Cross: While the cross symbolizes suffering and sacrifice, its meaning goes beyond just protection from worldly pain. It's also about identifying with Christ's self-sacrifice for humanity's redemption.
Nature of Suffering: Not all suffering comes from a "worldly" life. Consider exploring how faith can help navigate different kinds of suffering.
Historical Context: Early Christians did face persecution, but the experiences of the twelve apostles might not be representative of every single Christian throughout history.
Additional Thoughts:
Consider exploring the concept of discipleship and what it means to "follow Christ" in everyday life.
You could research different interpretations of the "signs" mentioned in the passage (speaking in tongues, handling snakes, etc.)
Overall, your response demonstrates a strong personal connection to the text. Here are some additional thoughts:
Consider exploring how the message of the Gospel can bring hope and purpose even in the midst of suffering.
Remember, the Christian faith offers a variety of perspectives on suffering and its meaning.
Your prayer is a beautiful expression of faith. May your connection to the truth of the resurrection continue to grow stronger.