We conclude the gospel of Mark. Having given his life as a ransom for sin, Jesus was raised from the dead and exalted to the highest place. Mark 16:19, “So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.” This is the Ascension of Jesus to the place of kingship. He who had taken upon himself the form of a servant is now highly exalted (Philippians 2:7-9). He is now in the place of power (the right hand of God), ever making intercession for us. He is our Advocate in heaven. What better Advocate could we have? The king himself gave his life for us. The king himself gives his Spirit to us. The king himself Advocates before the Almighty on our behalf. When that great Day of Appearing before the throne of God comes (“it is given a man once to die and then to face judgment”) what a relief it will be to appear with the only One who can stand righteous before the throne of God…the exalted King, Jesus.
Also in Mark 16 we have a version of the Great Commission. Whereas in Matthew, the King declares, “All authority in heaven and earth are mine, therefore go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them…. and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded… and lo, I am with you always,” in Mark we are command to “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” Jesus tells us who are his disciples to take his place in the world… to do that which he has been doing. Signs of his presence will accompany us — we will have authority to cast out demons and to heal, we will be protected from various dangers, and we will have supernatural gifts given by the Spirit. Jesus will serve in and through his people by his Spirit. We partner with him; he does the work through us. We go out to proclaim and demonstrate his kingdom; he endorses the message as kingdom realities occur through us. Not a corner of the world is to be left unvisited; not a soul is to be left out from hearing! Those who receive the message will be saved… and the King will be exalted forevermore!
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