PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Mark 16:15-20
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“They will pick up snakes with their hands.” (Mark 16:18)
The good news is NOT just about forgiveness; it is about 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 the serpent represents – sickness, suffering, bondage – is overturned.
I do not take these words literally – handling snakes or drinking poison.
I see them as God’s good news for all creation: Satan and his poison are defeated.
The woman’s seed has crushed the serpent’s head (Genesis 3:15).
As Jesus’ followers, we stand against Satan’s poison, and Jesus helps us win.
When we fight 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 snake make you run; step into those dark places with Jesus!
Grab that snake by the tail and tell him, ‘Jesus won, and I work with him!’
Stand up for hope, healing, justice peace… Jesus will confirm it for us (v.20)!
PRAYER
Lord, Satan still finds ways to discourage me. These words motivate me to resist Satan’s lies and represent your victory! I step on that snake, in Jesus Name!
When sharing the good news its nice to have confirmation – but it is not something we should strive, I believe – rather we need to be genuine and faithful: “Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.” I do believe that sharing the good news does have effect – I don’t notice it usually – but sometimes God gives me a confirmation that encourages me! The disciples were encouraged – but they were also persecuted and suffered for sharing. The latter is also a confirmation I believe – for we can expect opposition.
Our commission – tell the story.
God will empower you. Do not fear. Just do it.
Be instruments of His peace.
God will take care of you/me.
1 Be not dismayed whate’er betide,
God will take care of you;
Beneath his wings of love abide,
God will take care of you.
Refrain:
God will take care of you,
through ev’ry day, o’er all the way;
He will take care of you,
God will take care of you.
2 Through days of toil when heart doth fail,
God will take care of you;
When dangers fierce your path assail,
God will take care of you. [Refrain]
3 No matter what may be the test,
God will take care of you;
Lean, weary one, upon his breast,
God will take care of you. [Refrain]