VERSE:
Mark 16:14-16
14 Afterward He appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at the table; and He reproached them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who had seen Him after He had risen. 15 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16" He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.
LESSON:
Belief - Belief...should lead to action
In this verse, Jesus again appeared to his followers, in this story to the eleven remaining Disciples (not including Judas). Unfortunately, it was not an entirely pleasant reunion between Jesus and the Disciples. Even though he had foretold to them, what would happen to him, they still did not understand or believe that he would die, be risen from the dead, and return to them. They were still in disbelief. They did not believe the other eyewitnesses, because they did not see it for themselves. Belief sometimes must take place without all of the physical evidence that you may want to be provided to you. Once you believe, you should feel called to action. In this verse, Jesus directly calls all of the Disciples who claimed to believe in him...to go into all of the world..and preach the gospel to all creation (to everyone everywhere). Each day we need to reexamine our degree of belief in Christ Jesus. Could others around us tell that we are believers? Are we doing anything constructive and meaningful in sharing the Gospel, simply because of our belief? Can we do more?
