Most translations while including Mark 16:9-20 actually say that the passage did not form part of the original text. And when you read these verses it does have that feel to it. Nevertheless there is little in the passage that we should discount as being a part of the original story. It does tie in with the post-resurrection accounts.

However, the challenge that is presented in this passage is immense and its central teaching lies at the heart of the Christian life: the importance of trust and faith. Twice the disciples were told of Jesus’ resurrection and twice they refuse to believe. Even though those who report the news to them were themselves eyewitnesses they are still not believed. And when Jesus finally catches up with them he takes them to task about their attitude, to the point of accusing them – not for the first time according to Mark – of being ‘hard-hearted’ (v.14).

He goes on to say what rewards those who ‘believe’ in him will experience: salvation and supernatural signs accompanying them. It seems that faith, or trust, is an essential key in opening up our life to the Kingdom and to opening up Kingdom power through our life.

Of course there are many of us who have experienced some of these signs in our everyday lives: speaking in tongues is a common occurrence among Pentecostal and charismatic believers; miraculous physical healing is something that many experienced, as is casting out the demonic. But Jesus is reported to have included another two signs in his list: picking up snakes and drinking poison – both of which leads to no harm in the believer. Now I’ve heard of some churches in southern US who actually have deadly snakes in their worship times, though it is very much a minority thing. But nowhere have I heard of people drinking poison. So while many advocate the importance of faith few have stretched it this far.

Now if these two signs are what Jesus actually said, how is your faith doing today?