No Fear: Mark 16:14-20
In the end, what matters is God’s light shines upon a world desperately in need of it. We all have jobs to do. Sometimes it is hard to see how our daily jobs relate to God’s will. They do still relate, though. God’s grace, love, and mercy shine through how we live. Typically, actions and treatment of others speak louder than a twenty minute testimonial.
Jesus appears to the disciples – specifically the eleven – as they eat. We know from other Gospels this appearance was after his visit with Mary and the pair of disciples. Jesus rebukes them for their unbelief. He rebukes them for their unwillingness to listen to those He sent.
Jesus doesn’t abandon them, though. They are still included in God’s great plan. He invites them to go and proclaim the good news to others.
That’s the thing with God. Since He doesn’t expect perfection, He doesn’t need to dismiss us when He doesn’t get it. He can still use us. If we are willing, He will still use us. He has chosen us, nothing we can do can change that fact.
In our rush to the good news, though, don’t skip over the rebuke. Yes, Jesus loves His disciples as they are. That doesn’t mean He wants them to remain as they are. When we do wrong, there is rebuke. When we repent, there is a requirement for change. We are invited to come as we are, but nowhere in scripture does God give us permission to remain this way. We are called out of our relationship with sin into a Christ-like life.
Jesus sends the disciples into the whole world. They are to go among the Gentiles and the Jews. They are to go into places where people are different. They are to go into places where people are the same. Everyone deserves to hear the good news of God’s conquest over sin and God’s conquest over death.
Jesus makes promises to the disciples as they go. When Jesus’ disciples go into the world, they need not fear spiritual assaults as His disciples cast out demons. They need not fear going into different communities as His disciples speak in tongues. They need not fear creation as His disciples handle snakes and overcome poison. They need not fear sickness and disease as His disciples recover from them. Jesus’ disciples can go about God’s work without fear.
That’s why God is such a great God. He doesn’t require perfection, so why do we fear? If we go out, do our best, and follow God’s ways, He will make sure the important things happen. We are His hands and feet, but He handles all the truly important aspects. I can miss a cue He’s given to me; He’ll give me a second chance. I can go into new and scary situations; He’ll help me find my way. In the end, what matters is God’s light shines upon the world that is desperately in need of it.
