Word@Work 217 - Mark 16:19-20
Published: Thu, 09/25/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 16:19-20 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it. (NIV)*
Although Mark probably did not pen the final 11 verses of the Gospel, this final summary bridges the gap between Jesus' life and the early church. The work of Jesus did not finish when He went back to heaven - it continues to this very day and will keep on into eternity. After Pentecost, the emboldened disciples could not be restrained from speaking about Jesus. As they preached, He worked with them.
What a transformation! From the frightened group of tough talking men huddled behind locked doors - to courageous messengers who could not be silenced. Yes, the miraculous signs drew the crowds; but it was the message of the Gospel which won the hearts. The same message also stirred up hatred and violent persecution. However, that did not stop the message, because the Lord was working with them - and they knew it!
Where is the Lord today? He is still with His people! If you belong to Him, then He is not only with you to provide emotional respite care or guidance in a crisis. He is with you as a senior colleague to enable you to work effectively alongside Him. Interestingly, He chooses weak and weary people for some of the hardest tasks; because working with Jesus provides its own extraordinary refreshment (cf. Matthew 11:28-30). The real Word at work, is Jesus working with you ... to help you to do what He says and share what is true. You are never alone. His presence is intended to enable great spiritual productivity ... for the blessing of all who will receive the Word, and the glory of our Saviour.
Prayer: Dear Lord. Thank You that You are always with me and wanting me to work with You each day. Help me to recognise the opportunities to live and speak for You; so that I will play the part You have asked of me ... and that I can trust You to do the wonderful transforming work - that comes as You are welcomed into people's lives. In Your Name. Amen.
*The most reliable early manuscripts and other ancient witnesses do not have Mark 16:9-20 (more info at www.gotquestions.org/Mark-16-9-20.html)
Although Mark probably did not pen the final 11 verses of the Gospel, this final summary bridges the gap between Jesus' life and the early church. The work of Jesus did not finish when He went back to heaven - it continues to this very day and will keep on into eternity. After Pentecost, the emboldened disciples could not be restrained from speaking about Jesus. As they preached, He worked with them.
What a transformation! From the frightened group of tough talking men huddled behind locked doors - to courageous messengers who could not be silenced. Yes, the miraculous signs drew the crowds; but it was the message of the Gospel which won the hearts. The same message also stirred up hatred and violent persecution. However, that did not stop the message, because the Lord was working with them - and they knew it!
Where is the Lord today? He is still with His people! If you belong to Him, then He is not only with you to provide emotional respite care or guidance in a crisis. He is with you as a senior colleague to enable you to work effectively alongside Him. Interestingly, He chooses weak and weary people for some of the hardest tasks; because working with Jesus provides its own extraordinary refreshment (cf. Matthew 11:28-30). The real Word at work, is Jesus working with you ... to help you to do what He says and share what is true. You are never alone. His presence is intended to enable great spiritual productivity ... for the blessing of all who will receive the Word, and the glory of our Saviour.
Prayer: Dear Lord. Thank You that You are always with me and wanting me to work with You each day. Help me to recognise the opportunities to live and speak for You; so that I will play the part You have asked of me ... and that I can trust You to do the wonderful transforming work - that comes as You are welcomed into people's lives. In Your Name. Amen.
*The most reliable early manuscripts and other ancient witnesses do not have Mark 16:9-20 (more info at www.gotquestions.org/Mark-16-9-20.html)
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This is the end of our studies in Mark's Gospel - but you can review previous Word@Work devotionals in Mark at http://www.beaconlight.co.uk/email.
Tomorrow we start a new series in Ephesians! There is no need to sign up again, it will come to you automatically!!
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This is the end of our studies in Mark's Gospel - but you can review previous Word@Work devotionals in Mark at http://www.beaconlight.co.uk/email.
Tomorrow we start a new series in Ephesians! There is no need to sign up again, it will come to you automatically!!
Why not share Word@Work with your friends - they can subscribe at http://www.beaconlight.co.uk/email!
If you value your free Word@Work - an occasional donation will help us to maintain and develop the ministry - thank you!
W@W217 | Word@Work 2008 © Dr Paul Adams | Provided by BeaconLight
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