Journey to Pentecost

May 18, 2010       Mark 16.17-18

Somehow those in the faith community have become somewhat disconnected from signs and wonders.  We have had just about every fake and ministerial fraud come and go.  We can turn on our television and watch “Christian” television and see the high-end of marketing Jesus that for the most part turns the stomach of most viewers – both saved and unsaved.  We have seen “signs and wonders” manufactured for the gain of one man or a woman for the prosperity of entire movements.  We have made a mockery out of signs and wonders.  I am almost positive that our actions here on earth have offended and grieved Father many times over.  I can’t imagine the grief He has sensed over our uncontrolled exuberance to make something happen in order make ourselves look good and anointed or to merely impress an innocent victim of shipwrecked faith.

Signs and wonders.  According to our text the word signs means “markers”.   In other words there will be markers that “follow near” the believers.  My understanding of this here is similar to going into the woods without a compass.  You typically tie pieces of cloth or “markers” to trees, bushes, etc. so you can find your way out by backtracking to your starting point.  Getting out is as easy as getting in.  So when Jesus said that markers would “follow near” to the believers – Jesus was saying that we are doing several things.

First, we leaving markers.  These markers Jesus was discussing were miracles that would point people to Him not the performers of those markers.  The markers were not about the one going in and out of the woods – but rather to point others to the same journey.  

Second, if the markers were following the believers then the markers were pointing forward and not backwards.  Verse 20 reveals that the “Lord worked with them confirming the markers.” What this indicates is that the Lord worked through the believers to confirm His   Word.   It wasn’t about the believer it was about the Lord.   He worked through them to confirm His Word to point people to salvation.  The markers were there to point people to Him – again, not the performer.   Today, the performer of the miracle usually wants a lot of attention.  Sometimes these individuals can do more harm to the kingdom than good.  I think you get my drift here.

I like verse twenty.  I like the idea that the Lord works with the believer.  That’s a partnership.  That’s not a “lone ranger” evangelist, pastor or some other ministerial positional person doing works and acting like some super hyper spiritual kingdom hero with a big red S on his chest.  It’s about giving the “senior” partner – ie: Jesus – credit.  It’s about glorifying Jesus not man.

I am thirsty for more of God.  I am hungry for more of Him.  I too want “signs” to follow us.  I want markers to line the road behind us.  I am so desirous of markers to point to what God is doing through us so we can glorify His name.   Markers!  I am believing that there will be countless affirmations of the Word as we preach, teach and sing of the glory of the Lord in the earth.  The markers will not point to me, us or our church in particular.  They will point to Jesus first and foremost. I want the Lord to work through me so that others will see that it is not about us but the Lord of Lords!

Markers.  I want them follow us as we minister in the Name of Jesus.  I want what follows me to point people to Christ…not away from Him.  What about you?