Mark 16: 9-20

The gospel of Mark ends with Jesus' appearance to Mary Magdalene, to the remaining eleven disciples (Judas had killed himself after his betrayal of Jesus), and to many others. He sent them out to spread the good news of his resurrection. He ascended into heaven, and verse 20 ends with "the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it." (NIV) Matthew 28, Luke 24, and John 20-21 tell more of the story of Jesus' appearance to many people after his resurrection. He opened their minds to the Scripture and explained how his sacrifice on the cross was necessary for the redemption of sins.

Jesus also told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the gift of the Holy Spirit, which they received in Acts 2. We now have this gift, when we accept Jesus as our Savior. Like the disciples in the book of Acts, we can tell and show the love of Jesus to all we meet. Jesus' life and ministry is recorded in the Bible in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, and the early church's story is in the book of Acts. But we can go beyond reading and live the life Jesus has called us too--to go out to a hurting world that needs to hear the message of hope that Jesus gives.



- posted by Suzi @ 8:19 AM