Summary:
Jesus's authority as King culminates in Him rising from the dead and commissioning witnesses to proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
Sermon Text: Mark 16:9–20 (ESV)
9 Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. 11 But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it. 12 After these things he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. 13 And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them. 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.” 19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.
Discussion Questions
What are the three main solutions to the problem of the authenticity of Mark 16:9–20?
What three appearances does Jesus make in Mark 16:9–20?Interpreted as metaphors, what does it mean that believers “will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them” (Mark 16:18)?
In what ways does it comfort, challenge, and motivate you to know Jesus works with us in the proclamation of the gospel?