Good News v/s Issues

Scripture/Bible:  And he said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who 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, and if they drink any deadly thing, 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 forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that attended it. Amen. Mark 16:15-20

Reflection: The parting message, the final instructions are all precious moments for any individuals. Some are fond memories, some are memorable and some may be too painful and traumatic to even remember them.  But all of them they either leave a deep impression or a lasting scar on us.   

The parting message of the ascension must have been a painful and yet a memorable event in the lives of the dedicated disciples of the Lord.  To the point, the Lord gave them the exact instructions that he wanted to give. He did not beat around the bush concerning his mission to them. 

What then are the salient features of the message?

·         Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to the whole creation.

·         He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who 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, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover."

The important part of the whole exercise was the unquestioning adherence to the instructions which the Lord had given them; “And they went forth and preached everywhere”

Why would they? They knew that the good news was good news, really good news and nothing but a good news that was worth preaching and it was the primary thing anyone in this creation ever needed.  It was of much more worth than food, clothing, human emancipation programmes, justice issues, equality issues, women’s issues, the race issues, environment issues, corruption issues, political agendas or any other burning issues.

Humans have to be first reconciled to God, who is their creator and Father through faith in the Good News (gospel) of reconciliation; Jesus Christ who has reconciled us to the Father, through his cross.

Prayer: “Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, he who is coming into the world." John 11:27 “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us