“And then he told them, 'Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. ' " Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.”
Mark 16:15-16 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/mrk.16.15-16.NLT
Jesus tells the disciples to go through the world proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ with the urgency of a decision from those who are listening.
Reflection
The words of Jesus recorded in the gospel of Mark are ones of action:
- Take this message of being saved by Jesus Christ to the world: Herald it. Proclaim it. It is urgent in the best of ways.
- Preach the coming of the Kingdom of God through Jesus Christ: It is here now because Christ has come. It is taking root and growing. Invite people to be a part of it.
- Invite people to decide: Choose to believe and be baptized, resulting in the saving of your life. Refuse to believe and live a life of self-condemnation and separation from God forever.
Jesus goes on to say: “These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.” Mark 16:17-18 NLT.
Encouragement
Look at what the disciples did in response to Jesus’ instruction: “And the disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked through them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs.” Mark 16:20 NLT.
Questions
Does our proclamation or sharing of the good news of Jesus Christ encourage people to believe and be baptized to be saved?
Are we inviting people to choose or decide to believe in Christ today?
Do we carry a compassionate urgency to see people saved?
Miraculous signs confirm the truth of Christ and the Kingdom of God. Are you seeing them in response to people’s decision to believe and be baptized in Christ?
Prayer
Dear Jesus,
Thank you for these words of compassionate urgency, wanting the whole world to know the truth of who you are, that you have come, and inviting people to be saved from sin and restored to God forever.
Thank you for inviting us to proclaim and share this everywhere.
Help us to invite people to choose to be saved by you.
Thank you for reminding us that all of humanity has a decision to make: either be saved into a new life of freedom and relationship with God, or continue a life of separation and self-condemnation by rejecting you.
Father God, our hearts are that people would be saved by believing in your living Son, Jesus Christ.
In your name, Jesus, we pray,
Amen