Into All the World

“Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation” (Mark 16:15).

My temptation, as I look at Mark’s resurrection account, is to begin to immediately speak about evangelism, emphasizing the obligation that every Christian has to spread the gospel. Yet, something must come first.

The first words of our risen Lord were not, “Go and preach.” Before He gives this final commission, Jesus says, and does, certain things in order to help His followers overcome three prevailing obstacles to evangelism.

Discouragement

Imagine what it was like for the disciples and friends of Jesus in the time in between His crucifixion and resurrection. Their leader had been executed, and their own lives were now in danger. There was discouragement surrounding the prospect of continuing the mission, and there was, of course, great discouragement in losing a beloved Friend.

John’s gospel describes how Mary Magdalene stood outside the empty tomb weeping. Mary’s faith had waned; hope had given way to discouragement and despair, but that all changed the day she was greeted by the Resurrected Jesus.

Before we can go and share the gospel, we must renew our affection for the Risen Christ. Only those who are in a vibrant relationship with Him will possess the motivation to share the Good News with others.

Doubt

The second obstacle to sharing one’s faith in Christ is doubt. Basic sales principles apply here: just as it is difficult to sell a product that you do not believe in, it is difficult to convince others of their need to follow the Risen Christ if you yourself are not convinced of the need to follow Him.

John’s gospel records for us the words of a man we have come to know as “Doubting Thomas.” Thomas declared, “Unless I see in His hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into His side, I will never believe” (John 20:25).

Thomas is able to overcome his doubt thanks to a face-to-face encounter with Jesus. But what about us? You may choose to simply live with your doubts, which will ultimately hinder your Christian witness. Or, you can choose to become a student of the Scriptures, and be among the blessed ones spoken of by Jesus when He said to Thomas, “Have you believed because you have seen Me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29).

Disobedience

For others, it is disobedience that keeps us from heeding the commission of Christ. As I think about those close to Jesus, I am immediately reminded of Peter. Without doubt, Peter’s lowest moment was when he denied Jesus—three times—just as Jesus had predicted (Mark 14:30).

Peter wept following his denial of Jesus (Mark 14:72). He felt terrible. The guilt from his disobedience was weighing heavy on him. Jesus knew this, and so Peter is singled out as a special beneficiary of the resurrection, “Go, tell His disciples and Peter” (Mark 16:7).

There remains a mandate for every Christian; we are commanded to “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel” (Mark 16:15). So long as we allow discouragement, doubt, and disobedience to fester, we will likely never heed this command. But when we are forgiven, believing, and encouraged, it becomes a natural thing to share the gospel with others. Do not delay another moment. The risen Christ stands at the door and knocks (Revelation 3:20).

—Bryn MacPhail, condensed