Daily Reflections ...

What are the characteristics of the life of a believer, a disciple, a follower of Christ? This final passage from the Gospel of Mark—a postscript to the main narrative—gives us a glimpse. But it’s a strange impression, isn’t it? Devils and snakes, tongues and poison: it all seems a long way away from life as we know it. In fact, it almost suggests that following Jesus will turn you into some kind of superhero, complete with special powers.

Maybe we need to look closer at what is really being said. The signs that are presented reveal God’s care for us (preserving us from danger, represented by snakes and poison) and his empowering us to care for others (healing the sick and the spiritually oppressed). These are, in fact, the basic marks of the Christian life: that we are loved and cared for by Christ, and that we show his loving, merciful face to others.

But the way that this happens is often unexpected and even strange, just like these signs! In our own need, we receive grace from unlooked-for sources: in going to the aid of others, we can be mysteriously granted the compassion or insight called for in the moment. Therefore, we grow in gratitude, recognising all this as gift, not something we control. Far from being superpowers, all such signs, small and great, are reminders of the power and mystery of God, whose ways may at times seem strange to us, but whose generous love is truly “Good News for all creation”.

By Chad Hargrave