Continue His work
“And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. These signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” ~ Mark 16:15-18
Have you ever watched someone carefully explain how to do a job, hand you the tools, and then walk away expecting you to finish it? At first, you might think, “Wait a minute, aren’t you coming back to do the hard part?” That’s a little like what happened when Jesus ascended into heaven. He completed His earthly ministry, handed His followers the assignment, gave them His authority, and said, “Now it’s your turn.” No pressure, right?
Today I want to talk about the authority Jesus gave right before He ascended into heaven. You may have heard these words at some point in life and know them as the “Great Commission.” Jesus said in the book of Matthew that all authority had been given to Him. Then He handed off that power to His people and delegated that authority to the disciples by telling them to go and take His message to the world. However, here in Mark’s account of the Great Commission, the authority isn’t given only to the disciples standing there that day. It is also given to all those who believe.
Notice what Jesus says. “These signs will follow those who believe.” This part of the Great Commission doesn’t always receive as much attention, but I believe it is so very much important. These signs were never meant to draw attention to us. They are for pointing people to Jesus and helping those who are hurting to discover the hope, love, and saving grace that only He can give.
Jesus said believers would cast out demons in His name, speak with new tongues, and lay hands on the sick so they would recover. It doesn’t say every healing will happen instantly, although sometimes it does. It simply says they will recover. God is the One who performs the miracle. We simply have the privilege of believing Him and making ourselves available for Him to work through us.
Personally, I had learned at a very young age that these signs had ended with the disciples. But as I began studying them for myself, I realized Jesus wasn’t limiting His words to one generation. He said these signs would follow all those who believe on His name. That includes every believer who is willing to step out in faith and continue the work He began. I’m so thankful Jesus desires His ministry to continue through His people today. It’s one of the reasons He taught us to pray, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
Here are a few practical ways to begin living this out today:
- Spend time reading about the miracles Jesus performed and notice the compassion He showed people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit each morning to give you opportunities to encourage, pray for, or serve someone that day.
- If someone shares a struggle with you, don’t just promise you’ll pray later. If it’s appropriate, ask if you can pray with them right then.
- Trust God with the results. Your responsibility is obedience. His responsibility is the outcome.
- Remember that God isn’t looking for perfect people. He’s looking for willing people. If He waited for perfection, we’d all still be waiting.
One of the greatest privileges we have as believers is partnering with God in what He is already doing. We aren’t trying to manufacture miracles or prove anything to anyone. We simply become available for the Holy Spirit to work through our lives. Sometimes that looks like praying for healing. Sometimes it looks like encouraging someone who is discouraged. Sometimes it means sharing the gospel with a friend. Every act of obedience becomes another opportunity for people to experience the love of Jesus.
Today I want to encourage you to step into the authority Jesus has already given you as a believer. Don’t underestimate what God can do through one willing heart that simply says, “Here I am, Lord. Use me.” Ask Him to lead your steps, guide your words, and work through your hands today. You may be the answer to someone’s prayer, the encouragement they desperately needed, or the person God uses to introduce them to His love. Continue His work with confidence, humility, and compassion, knowing that the same Holy Spirit who empowered Jesus’ ministry now lives in you.
Today’s scripture reading: Mark 16:14-20
14 Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen.
15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;
18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
19 So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.
20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.
Journal:
- Do I truly believe Jesus has called me to continue His work here on earth?
- When was the last time I stepped out in faith to pray for someone or encourage them?
- Is fear keeping me from obeying the promptings of the Holy Spirit?
- How can I become more available for God to work through me each day?
- Who in my life needs to experience the love, hope, and compassion of Jesus through me today?
