Every creature

Mark 16:15

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

What a commission here is given to His disciples! Jesus had just gloriously risen again, and appeared first to the women, and specifically to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven devils. After He had appeared to them, they ran and told His disciples, who were gathered together mourning and weeping. And they did not believe. They did not believe the witness of the women! They also did not believe the witness of the two that saw Him on the road to Emmaus. There hearts were still hardened, and the Lord was displeased about this. After all that He had done to show them that He was the Son of God, and after the Scriptures had been fulfilled before their very eyes, still they were obstinately in belief. But Jesus knew that soon they would believe. And once their faith became anchored in Him, they would never waver again. It would be anchored in Him forever. They would die martyrs’ deaths. They would give themselves for this great Gospel, and for the One who gave Himself for them. Therefore, Jesus rebukes the unbelief, but then immediately gives them the commission that would constitute the rest of their lives’ work.

The great commission! Yes, it was a commission, and it was great! No greater commission has been given to any group of dedicated servants than this. No greater enlistment has ever been given to anyone! What a calling, and what a purpose they had! “Go ye into all the world,” He says, “and preach the gospel to every creature.” All the world! Every creature! Don’t leave anyone out! Do not pass over the servant in the dungeon or the king on his throne. We must climb the steppes and cross the waves! Every nation must hear, and every people must hear. Every tribe, tongue, and people need to hear the glorious gospel of the blessed God. They need to be recipients of the gospel of Christ, which is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.

Now, we know that this commission was directed and commanded to a specific group of eleven apostles. But this does not obviate its power of application to every subsequent Christian. This has been recorded in Holy Scripture so that we may read and give heed. It has been preserved so that we may obey its order. You see, this is for all disciples of all time. Go ye into all the world! Preach the gospel to every creature! Therefore, you, my friend, must have a part. What is your part? Who can you witness to? Who can you tell the great news of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection? With whom can you share that Jesus died for them, and desires that they would believe in Him? There is someone! Someone near you, someone around you, or someone in front of you. There is a neighbor, or a friend, or a relative, or a stranger that needs to hear the gospel. Go ye! And as the disciples did, we must preach every where, because the Lord will work with us! What a blessed thought! We are not alone! He will go with us if we will only go. May the Lord help us to go.

“Father, we perceive and understand clearly the commission that has been given. And we know that the chief end of a disciple’s work is to bear the mesage of the Master to others. This we cannot do without You. But You have promised to work with us! And we praise You for this, and ask that You would show us today and every day who that person is that, through us, needs to be given the gospel of Christ, so that they may believe and receive life everlasting. We desire to yield to You in this. Help us, we pray. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”