What Jesus Did! 'Go into All the World' — Mark 16:9-20

Tuesday, December 31, 2024

A Year with Jesus - Holy Week

Spend some time with Jesus this week preparing for Resurrection Sunday.

Read More
[Some of the oldest and best Greek manuscripts of the Gospel of Mark end the book after the previous verse.]

After Jesus rose from the dead early on Sunday morning, the first person who saw him was Mary Magdalene, the woman from whom he had cast out seven demons. She went to the disciples, who were grieving and weeping, and told them what had happened. But when she told them that Jesus was alive and she had seen him, they didn't believe her.

Afterward he appeared in a different form to two of his followers who were walking from Jerusalem into the country. They rushed back to tell the others, but no one believed them.

Still later he appeared to the eleven disciples as they were eating together. He rebuked them for their stubborn unbelief because they refused to believe those who had seen him after he had been raised from the dead.

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

When the Lord Jesus had finished talking with them, he was taken up into heaven and sat down in the place of honor at God's right hand. And the disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked through them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs.

— Mark 16:9-20 NLT

Key Thought

What an incredibly wonderful message. Jesus begins as a nobody in a little-regarded place working with insignificant people and changes the world. As powerful a story as this is, we must remember that the story and the power are not ended. Jesus is still looking for people, even those the world regards as insignificant, and uses them to change the world. How can he do this? Because he is the Christ, the Son of God, who chose to minister in Galilee and the surrounding area, to be crucified in Jerusalem, and to be raised from the dead and reign over all the earth. Let's commit to joining him in his work of transforming the world by God's grace.

Today's Prayer

As I end this year, dear Father, I want to thank you for the ways you have touched my heart and used my life. However, dear God, I fervently pray that you will use me in this coming year in ways I cannot imagine. I want to be part of your work of changing the world. Please wholly use my life until you call me home. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Matthew 28:18-20
  • Acts 2:36-39
  • Colossians 1:3-6

Comments

Archived Facebook Comments

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Tuesday, December 31, 2024

A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
"But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well."
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
"Dear Disciple, As your Christmas season comes to an end, you are left to clean up the messes — the leftovers in the fridge, the house after the..."
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
"Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him."
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
"[In Paul's meeting with Jewish leaders in Rome, some were persuaded by his message about Jesus being the Messiah, but others were not. He concluded....."

Illustration

Illustration of Mark 16:9-20 NLT — "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.