{These final verses of Mark’s Gospel are not in the earliest manuscripts.}

“14 Later, He appeared to the Eleven themselves as they were reclining at the table. He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who saw Him after He had been resurrected. 15 Then He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach 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 drive out demons; they will speak in new languages; 18 they will pick up snakes; if they should drink anything deadly, it will never harm them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will get well.”

19 Then after speaking to them, the Lord Jesus was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word by the accompanying signs.”

Mark 16:14-20

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The poison drinking and snake handling aside, the remainder of the closing of Mark’s gospel fits well with the others. And while it’s easy to get hung up on that, the focus for the Christian remains the same: we have been given a purpose that is beyond ourselves, a holy commissioning that guided the remaining days of our lives here on earth. 

What gives us the most joy? What fills our hearts? What compels us to deeper love?  This life-giving, heart-filling commission from God Himself! Why do we try to fill our days with anything else? Why do we press forward with other plans and uses of our time? Why do we waste months and years of our life and never bring one person to Christ? The church in America has been too focused on self for far too long, trying to tailor Jesus to meet our needs rather than submitting to Him. We want salvation but push back on Lordship. We create a false joy that simply leaves us distracted rather than actually pursuing the things of God. 

That attitude is more of a false Gospel than snake handling. 

We have been given something beautiful, something wonderful to wrap our lives around, but we get distracted and need to repent. 

This Great Commission is driven by the heart of God and should drive every moment of our lives, His will coming first above all else.

Pursue Christ.

Leave this world’s concerns behind.

Find life and light and joy in Him and see what peace and fulfillment He has in store for you. His plans are always better. The world’s need for Him is always greater than our perceived need for comfort. Be bold. GoLove. Share truth. Live your faith. #OwnIt.