The Day of Pentecost (GA)

Mark 16:9-20

⁹ [[Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. ¹⁰ She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. ¹¹ But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.

¹² After these things he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. ¹³ And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.

¹⁴ Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. ¹⁵ And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. ¹⁶ Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. ¹⁷ And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; ¹⁸ they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

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. ²⁰ And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.]]

Here you have a summary of Mary reporting to the disciples. Along with a summary of the events on the road to Emmaus, Jesus also appears to his disciples and commissions them. But the most interesting part of this text is actually the signs. They will be able to speak in new tongues.

There are many signs that can accompany our faith. God calls people to believe in Jesus Christ. God proclaims the good news to the whole of creation. God offers us the most precious gift of all. He does not offer us just simple signs or tricks to preform, but a message placed in our heart and upon our lips.

This message is Jesus Christ Crucified for your sins. This message is a message condemning all of us, according to our actions and according to our very corrupt and sinful being. This is also a message of great hope. Even though we are lost and corrupt creatures, we are washed and cleansed creatures. Jesus Christ offers himself as our substitute.

It is not the signs accompanying the message, but the message itself that brings us life and salvation.