The Word Proclaimed and Confirmed

 Job 26-27; Mark 15-16 

“…Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well….the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

Mark 16:15-18, 20

The signs which should mark the life of a normal disciple of Jesus appear more dramatic than the list of attributes for Jesus’ followers today. Regardless of the relevance of any one characteristic, when taken as a whole, they describe someone who is living on mission like Jesus. This description of a disciple of Christ embodies Luke 4:18, 19 and Christ’s mission of bringing good news to the poor, freedom for the prisoners, release to the oppressed, and recovery of sight for the blind. These disciples were not hanging on to salvation, they were boldly sharing the gospel and confronting the powers of darkness, The Lord Jesus himself promises to work on mission alongside his disciples, confirming his word by the signs that accompany it. The signs follow us, we don’t follow the signs. The proclamation of the gospel is front and center. Rather than cherry pick which signs we like, or approve of, let us ask Jesus to fill us with his Spirit and empower us to share the gospel and let the sins take care of themselves.

Lord Jesus, thank you for your presence on mission with me today, empowering and confirming your Word.”