July 1, 2016

THE TIME TO BELIEVE IS NOW

Mark 16:9–20

Rubi Garcia
Friday's Devo

July 1, 2016

Friday's Devo

July 1, 2016

Central Truth

Because the disciples were so distracted by their circumstances, they forgot everything Jesus had taught them about being true followers of God. After a wakeup call from Jesus in the flesh, they were finally able to see that their mission was not done. Their mission had only just begun.

Key Verse | Mark 16:14–15

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. And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation." (Mark 16:14-15)

Mark 16:9–20

[Some of the earliest manuscripts do not include 16:9–20.] 1 16:9 Some manuscripts end the book with 16:8; others include verses 920 immediately after verse 8. At least one manuscript inserts additional material after verse 14; some manuscripts include after verse 8 the following: But they reported briefly to Peter and those with him all that they had been told. And after this, Jesus himself sent out by means of them, from east to west, the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation. These manuscripts then continue with verses 920

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

[[Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. 11 But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.

Jesus Appears to Two Disciples

12 After these things he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. 13 And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.

The Great Commission

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.]]

Footnotes

[1] 16:9 Some manuscripts end the book with 16:8; others include verses 9–20 immediately after verse 8. At least one manuscript inserts additional material after verse 14; some manuscripts include after verse 8 the following: But they reported briefly to Peter and those with him all that they had been told. And after this, Jesus himself sent out by means of them, from east to west, the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation. These manuscripts then continue with verses 9–20

Dive Deeper | Mark 16:9–20

It amazes me that after three years under the tutelage of Jesus, witnessing many of His miracles—including raising the dead, casting out demons, and commanding the roaring waves to be still—the disciples still did not understand that He was capable of resurrection from the grave. What else could they have possibly needed from Jesus to believe that He was the Messiah? So then, He appeared to the eleven and rebuked them for not believing. I can imagine their faces, the lumps in their throats, and the sinking-feeling in the pits of their stomachs for not believing all along.

What I love about this passage is that it captures perfectly what I personally went through in my own walk with God. As a young girl, I knew Him, but I needed proof. So I wrote Him a letter that stated, "God, if you are real, give me a sign." I tucked it away in the highest corner of my closet and waited a week for Him to respond. When I saw that He did not respond, my heart was hardened towards Him, and my years of rebellion quickly followed. Why is it that we seek to challenge God in this manner when, in fact, it is the opposite of seeing that blesses us more (John 20:29)?

Despite the disciples not believing from the beginning, they were still chosen to go and share the gospel. How beautiful is that? Despite all our mess, disbelief, and years of rebellion against God, He still calls us to be ambassadors of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:18-20).

Most of you as you read this are thinking to yourselves, "I believe, I believe!" However, we weren’t called just to believe. We were called to proclaim the gospel, share our own stories of resurrection/transformation, and develop future disciples. It took a close call with death, protection from many drunken nights, and the death of my boyfriend of three years to get me to finally believe that God has clearly chosen me to help further His kingdom. Your time to believe is NOW.

Discussion Questions

1. How many signs from God did it take for you to believe in the gospel? Are you still waiting on signs from God to believe?

2. Jesus told the disciples to go out and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation (Mark 16:15). How are you doing in sharing the gospel? What is keeping you from sharing?

3. If you have shared the gospel and you consider yourself to be a mature Christian, what things has God accomplished through your belief (Mark 16:20)? Share these things God has done with the first person God lays on your heart and then step back and watch Him work.