03.27.08 thequest UPdate

Days Later

Mark 16:14*

14 Still later he appeared to the eleven disciples as they were eating together. He rebuked them for their unbelief-- their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.

15 And then he told them, "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere.16 Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.17 These signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak new languages.18 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 heal them."

* 16:8 The most reliable early manuscripts conclude the Gospel of Mark at verse 8. Other manuscripts include various endings to the Gospel. Two of the more noteworthy endings are printed here.

NLT - HOLY BIBLE, New Living Translation, copyright (c) 1996 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. All rights reserved. Retrieved using BibleWorks for Windows Copyright � 1998 BibleWorks, LLC

Links to the readings for each day from the Passion Week:

Palm Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Resurrection Sunday Later 40 days Later Chart

I just finished reading Mark, and it was sometime later when the Jesus appeared to the disciples and he gave them this Great Challenge or Great Responsibility or Great Privilege or sometimes called the Great Commission. It is powerful stuff.

One of my wife's favorite devotional author's wrote a short piece about this passage. He writes from the angle of God the Father writing to us as His children. I trust this will encourage you as well:

"My child, do not chafe at the bit. It is I who have put it in your mouth. I would have led you by My eye, but you have been willful and stubborn. You question My direction because it is not the common way. But I would have you take a path that is quite different from the paths of your friends, and it is because I would bring you into a place in Me and a ministry in which they have no part.

Do not hesitate, and do not falter. Move in and do so quickly, for I say to you, the hour is late. There is great urgency because of the swiftly gathering darkness; yes, this is even the hour of which it is written that none shall be able freely to do My work. It is as when a great storm breaks suddenly and each person is fully bent upon finding his own personal place of safety. Even so it is coming to pass, that in this hour you should be gripped with one consuming purpose—to find the place I have for you.

I have deliberately put thorns in your nest in order to drive you forth. I understand your reluctance, but I shall surely deal with you until you break out of your bondage.

The enemy will hinder you in every way imaginable if you give him any room to stand. Rebuke every detaining circumstance in My name, and keep yourself covered by the blood of Jesus.

Your heart will grow cold unless you keep it close to Mine. Your love shall be turned to indifference unless you keep the cross before your eyes.

The Savior loves the dying world and the lost sinner no less today than He loved them the day He hung on Calvary, bleeding and dying for their redemption. His grace is still as rich and His compassion is still as deep. He has not become weary, nor has He turned His attention to other interests. The preaching of the gospel remains His will, and the salvation of souls is His chief concern. So also should it be yours, and nothing else should be permitted to take precedence over evangelism in your life.

Be diligent. Confess your lack and repent of your negligence. Then shall I give you a fresh anointing and a new commission. I will give you the tongue of an evangelist and will send you to reap precious souls. Jesus, the Christ, shall be your theme, and you will uplift Him, and He will draw the lost to Himself.

The hour is upon you. Do not look back. Go straight forward and allow nothing to detain you or turn you aside. My purposes can only be fulfilled as you give Me your undivided loyalty.

There has never been a day like this. No past experiences can be compared to it. It is as though in history there have been crests in the waves; but that which is ahead is like a tidal wave by comparison!"

Frances J. Roberts, Come Away My Beloved-updated language. �1970, 2002. "The Divine Commission" on p. 36-37.

Press on,

Mike

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