Today Jesus is speaking to His disciples. His message today is to empower them to go forth into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel. Jesus tells them that if a person believes, that one will be saved. If someone chooses not to believe, they will be condemned. How harsh this sounds!
Jesus then tells them that if a person believes, they will have the ability to speak new languages and drive out demonic spirits. They also will have the ability to be able to pick up serpents without harm. Jesus promises that anyone who believes in Him will be able to heal the sick and do other wondrous acts. Jesus also will keep His disciples safe from harm. Then Jesus was taken up into heaven and Mark writes that He was seated at the right hand of God!
Jesus’ disciples did as He asked. They went forth to preach and teach the Gospel of Jesus. And they also performed many wondrous miracles. Did His disciples sense that Jesus was with them as they went about among the people teaching, preaching and healing? Did they sense Jesus guiding them at times or perhaps giving them the words to say?
Jesus also calls us to go forth and preach the Gospel. He calls us to be teachers and healers. We may not be able to work a miracle, however, we are capable of consoling the sorrowful, healing another with our love, care and concern, and perhaps even bringing someone “back to life” with our love and our healing presence! Jesus does work in and through us!
The Lord continues to walk among us and speak to us. However, will our minds and hearts be open and alert to seeing Jesus in the people we encounter today?

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