6 day plan

The Bible for all Australians

Day 2 of 6

NIV

Mark 16:15

15He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

Reflection:

Mark 16:15 is a passage most of us know well. You may (or may not) have heard of the argument that the word ‘Go’ in Greek should be translated ‘as you go’; in other words, ‘while doing whatever it is you normally do’. Whilst there really isn’t enough time here for me to nerd out on you about the Greek, there just isn’t any getting away from the fact that this is Jesus’ mission strategy to bring as many people to him as possible.

Putting aside the word ‘Go’, we still have ‘all the world’, ‘preach the gospel’ and ‘all creation’: the act of ‘going’ is expected, no matter how you read it. The Bible is for everyone, and we have been tasked to bring it to everyone. It is our duty to ensure that we are strategically placing ourselves and other Christians amongst those who don’t know Jesus.

If you’ll permit me to oversimplify things for a moment, the sharing of the gospel, I believe, comes down to three things: faith, works and contact. In our individualistic Australian culture, we have a lot of work to do when it comes to making contact with others; especially when they are socially or culturally different from us. Going into ‘all the world’ implies placing believers amongst non-believers, making sure everyone at least knows someone who knows Jesus — here in Australia and around the world.

The most common story I hear from SU camps and programs, is just how surprised people are to see the huge impact they’ve had on young people, simply by being in contact with them, in a loving, Christian community, for only a week. Young people have come to SU programs as self-proclaimed atheists, and have left as born-again Christians, one week later. Being amongst others is powerful, and so simple.

I think sometimes we overcomplicate the call; sometimes it is as simple as being a faithful Christian and being in contact with those who need Jesus. How many non-Christians are you in contact with throughout your week? Do you know anyone of other cultures who you can befriend? How can you answer the call of Mark 16:15 in your life?

Prayer:

Lord, help me to be a light to those in my vicinity. Open my eyes to people of other cultures, other social standings, and shine your light through me.  I want to be someone that is useful to your kingdom — please God, use me.

The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.

Days

1
2
3
4
5
6

Mark 16:1-20

Jesus Has Risen

1When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. 2Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”

4But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.

6“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’ ”

8Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.

[The earliest manuscripts and some other ancient witnesses do not have verses 9–20.]

9When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. 10She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. 11When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it.

12Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. 13These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either.

14Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.

15He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18they 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.”

19After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. 20Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.