PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Mark 16:15-20
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” (Mark 16:15)
The good news is NOT just about our being forgiven, it is about our being restored.
Restored as God’s image-bearers, ruling over all creation.
This is the good news that the creation itself longs to hear (Romans 8:19-22).
Everything that the serpent represents – sickness, suffering, bondage – is overturned.
I do not take these words literally – handling snakes or drinking poison.
I see them as tied to the good news for all creation, that Satan and his poison is defeated.
The woman’s seed has crushed the serpent’s head, and we represent him (Genesis 3:15).
As Jesus’ followers, we take a stand against Satan’s poison, and Jesus helps us win.
When we speak and serve against sickness, suffering, injustice, etc., the serpent is crushed.
These words – whether original or not – are meant to bolster our confidence.
We can resist the devil, and he will flee from us (James 4:7).
Don’t let that serpent make you run; step into those situations of darkness with Jesus!
Grab that snake by the tail and tell him, ‘Jesus won, and I work with him!’
Take a stand for hope, healing, justice and peace, and Jesus will confirm it for us (v.20)!
PRAYER
Lord, Satan still finds ways to discourage me. And then I hear these words, and I am motivated to resist Satan’s lies and represent your victory! I step on that snake, in Jesus Name!
and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it. The evidence after Jesus’ resurrection proved this to be true – yet believers were persecuted too. The work of the ‘snake’ was still there – but in Jesus name the curse of sin no longer has the victory. I pray that the Lord may work with me and that others may come to know Jesus and be saved from being ensnared by ‘bite of the snake’ . It just feels like we’re not crushing the snake’s head that much -it’s still a distraction against the truth in Jesus yet it’s deadly end is crushed. We are the victors in Jesus name. We need to claim it in all that we do!
The Great Commission – the task given to His disciples, His followers. And they did go out then in His name and that must continue this day, to proclaim the Good News that He is alive and He is here enabling His followers to do His will. May others see that I am His follower and that they see Christ Jesus living in me.
Am I a soldier of the Cross—
A follower of the Lamb?
And shall I fear to own His cause,
Or blush to speak His name?
In the name, the precious name,
Of Him who died for me,
Through grace I’ll win the promised crown,
Whate’er my cross may be.