GO! AMEN!!!

Today’s Reading: Mark 16 

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

The Garden Tomb is hewn out of the rock and was unearthed in 1867. It is considered by many to be the site of the burial and resurrection of Jesus. Inside the tomb, you can see how at one end the rock was carved out extra long to make room for a taller man than perhaps for which it was orignally made. There is a tradition that says that Jesus was 6 feet tall. In today’s reading it says that the three women, upon “Entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting in the right side; and they were alarmed” (Mark 16:5). Let us use our imaginations as we look at this photograph. The young man said, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place here they laid Him” (Mark 16:6).

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

Key Verses: Mark:16:15 & 16:20

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”  …And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. AMEN!!!

All four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, end with “AMEN!!!” The exclamation points are a way for us to shout in print. The word “Amen” comes from a Hebrew word meaning “TRUTH” and “CERTAINTY.” It does not mean that our prayer is finished. It means “GO FOR IT” and “MAKE THE TRUTH HAPPEN!”

For whatever reason some of the ancient manuscripts end Mark’s Gospel at verse 8. The majority include verses 9 to 20. It’s hard to imagine Mark ending his record, most of which it is assumed he received as dictation from Peter, with the words of verse 8, “And they said nothing to anyone for they were afraid.” It would make no sense whatsoever. Beware of those who want an escape from these last verses and therefore jump to the conclusion that Peter, and probably Mark, did not hear Jesus say, “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” (6:15-16)! Jesus said this! I believe this! By God’s call, grace and empowerment we must obey the King of the Cosmos!!!

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Lord God, here I am…send me, and if I am not directly called to be there in Afganistan or Uganda, or other places, I commit to pray for those who are preaching everywhere in obedience to Your direct order! I also commit to support, sacrificially, those who are faithfully and diligently, day and night, going into all the world! Without my financial support for world missions they cannot obey You. With my giving I am there with them. We are a team. I pray with a sense of urgency because the time is limited for us to accomplish Your plan. In the Name of the One Who promised to be “working with them,” Jesus, the risen Saviour, Lord, and King! Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS

I’m thanking those who have helped me in this blog as we complete these final four days before we start our two-year journey through the Bible all over again on June 3rd. A big thanks to all who have encouraged me with your prayers and responses to the blog. The Holy Spirit and you have kept me going since June 3, 2012, seven days a week, without missing even one day. That seems to me to be a miracle. After all, I’m supposed to be retired. Retired? No way!! If anything I’m re-fired!! I have more enthusiasm and energy to serve God than I’ve had since I stepped away from senior leadership in Crossroads Christian Communications Inc. (click here to learn what some of the ways are in which we’ve sought to obey the “go into all the world” command of Jesus in the past, what’s happening now, and the vision for the future). After all, Jesus promised to work with us! This is God’s great success story of establishing His Kingdom here on earth!

Yours for doing what it takes, giving whatever it takes, and backing it all with strong prayer!

David

P.S. My son Ron interviewed Norma-Jean and me on 100 Huntley Street in the spring of 2012 following my diagnosis of MDS acute leukemia and the news that it was incurable. According to the doctors, I was to have departed this life in March of 2014, but God must have wanted me to continue this blog! Here’s that video with a surprise visitor who came on set just to pray for my healing (click here).