Scripture:
Mark 16:14-18 ESV
[14] Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. [15] And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim 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 cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; [18] they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
Observation:
I love how this part of the scripture starts, but at the same time, it’s kind of an eye-opener. Jesus appears to HIS 11 disciples. Leaving us to believe that HE was not there and then miraculously HE appeared. The correction HE gave was much needed. However, because HE had sent the last few weeks and months of HIS life getting them ready for HIS crucifixion, telling them about it, preparing them for it. Telling them that they would have to carry on the work that HE had started. Their unbelief and hardness of heart were getting in the way of what needed to be done. For the last 3 years, they had called HIM teacher. They were students, yet they had not paid attention to what exactly HE was teaching. But now it was time to put it into practice. The miraculous entry into the room where they were was setting the stage for what HE had prepared them for. HIS instructions were simple. GO into all the world and tell them the good news. I (Jesus) have risen from the dead…but wait there’s more…these are the signs that will fallow those who believe. Giving a short but powerful list of things that would happen in the presence of those who believed. This list might be intimidating to some people because their not sure. To put it short, they have dought. They may say they believe, but deep in their hearts, there is something that keeps them from abounding the limitations of their fleshly thinking. Let’s take a look at the list. The first thing that is mentioned is the ability to cast out demons. This sign in and of its would be enough to make anyone come to know Jesus as their LORD and SAVIOR. I think I should back up and go over verse 16 briefly. It’s pretty simple but impactful as well. It’s a statement that whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, and whoever does not believe will be condemned. This could bring us to a deep theological debate about baptism that I’m not sure we are ready for. So, let’s just look at the statement of salvation. That’s where it all begins. It comes down to do you truly believe. If you do verses 17-18, apply to you. Casting out demons in HIS name, speaking in other tongues, being put in dangerous situations, and coming out unharmed, laying hands on the sick, and they will recover. The scripture clearly says THESE ARE THE SIGNS THAT WILL FALLOW THOSE WHO BELIEVE.
Application:
There is no other way to start the application process of this SOAP, but one statement. I BELIEVE…the question is, do you? That brings me to a story. In fact, I have more than one. But this one happened about 6 months ago and blew my mind, to be honest. I believe it happened to help someone else but also solidify my faith in Jesus christ. I still don’t fully understand that day, but looking back, I know what I saw, and I believe I know why it happened. So here we go. It’s time for the whole truth. I was in Home Depot, a place where I stopped at least 2 or 3 times a day. Standing in the plumbing aisle, talking to one of the floor managers. A man about 30 feet away from us passed out and fell to the floor. Knocking things off the shelf and drawing the attention of the Home Depot employee and myself. The employee and I quickly responded as the attention of others was drawn to the situation as well. The man was non responsive. After a minute, he came to the 2 of us and tried to help him to his feet with no success. He couldn’t stand or walk and was in and out of consciousness. By this time, other people were starting to show up, and a crowd was gathering. Another female Home Depot employee showed up and sat down on the floor and put the man’s head on her lap. My heart was beating fast of the severity of the situation. In my spirit, I felt something tell me to pray for him. So I reached down and put my hands on his and prayed. My prayer was simple. Father help him. Keep him alive until help gets here. Heal him. In the mighty name of Jesus. Yes, I said the prayer out loud. Everyone standing around heard it. What happened next burned a memory in my mind that will never go away. The man got up and walked out of Home Depot without any assistance. I know because I fallowed him out. The ambulance was just showing up at the door as we walked out. I pointed to him and told the E.M.T.’s that he was the one that needed help as he waved them off, got in his truck, and drove away. I’m telling you this story because that’s the day this scripture came to life for me. There is a little more to the story that showed me the whole situation was an answer to my prayer. I had been praying for the LORD to increase my faith. Asking HIM to show me HIS face. We’ll that day HE did. I know that the prayer that went up, although the man was healed in the name of Jesus… that prayer was for me… walking back in the store, the employee that I was talking to before all this happened met me and told me a little more about the man. You see, it turns out he comes in there on a regular basis… all the employees know him. They have helped him find products he was looking for. The employee that I was speaking to told me that man was Def, he could not hear at all…….now listen, I’m not sure if the weight of that statement set in with you like it did me that day. But the prayer that I spoke came back to my ears instantly. Father, keep him alive until help gets here heal him in the mighty name of Jesus. I had been saved 14 years, and in all that time, I had never been used for something like that. I’m still astonished by it. But let me tell you…I BELIEVE. I believe in the miraculous. I have seen it with my own eyes. That prayer was for me it was GOD’S way of showing me help was already there… it wasn’t on the way… Help is always there. These are the signs that WILL fallow those who BELIEVE. The question is, DO YOU BELIEVE? As I think back and see all the miraculous things I have been a witness to, it just blows my mind. I have seen addicts ste free, the sick healed, I have been in situations where I should not have walked out, casting out demons of depression, anxiety, rejection, and many others. Listen, I know the bible doesn’t lie. GOD can’t lie, and it’s HIS word. A simple prayer like Father, I believe… helps my unbelief. Will open the door for the father to show you HIS face that day changed my life. May this story change yours.
Prayer:
Father, we see your word, and we know it to be true. Sometimes, our faith may waver, and our belief may be more of a question. In those moments, help us to see your face. We want to know more than your name. YAHWAH, we want to see you. As your word reveals you to us strengthen our faith in you. Help our unbelief. We are not asking for signs and wonders. But what we are asking for is for our faith and belief, rest on who you are and what you have done for us. You have pulled off the greatest miracle of all time, bringing the dead back to life and seating HIM at your right hand. You sent your son to die so that we may live. Knowing that HIS death was temporary. So that our life could be eternal. Father… WE BELIEVE I. THE MIGHTY NAME OF JESUS, and it’s in that name we pray amen.