"And He said GO…And they WENT."

In the Gospel of Mark the service of the Lord Jesus is brought before us in its perfection. Mark, the unprofitable servant, is recovered from his unprofitableness in order that he may be the vessel of the Holy Spirit in presenting the One who was ever profitable.

The words "immediately," "straightway," "anon," and others, are employed frequently in the pages of this Evangelist, as our Lord is portrayed in the activities of His service. As the One whose ear was wakened "morning by morning to hear as the learner," we find Him passing rapidly from scene to scene of ministry, for the glory of God and for the good of His poor sinful, fallen creatures.

He had come "not to be ministered unto, but to minister;" not to be served, but to serve. This is seen on every page of the Gospel. And though He is now in glory His ministry has not ceased. In the last chapter of the Gospel we find Him still "working with" His disciples whom He had sent, co-operating and confirming their service. He had said "GO," "and they went" (vers. 15, 20), and He was with them in their going. Today, too, He sends and succors and supports His servants every one. Let us take courage from this, and "GO forth and serve Him while 'tis day," not leaving "the sweet retreat" of communion with Himself.

And let us remember that we are all called to serve in some way or another. With this in view it is interesting to notice the service of others beside the apostles in the closing part of this chapter.

The angel at the sepulchre bids the women, "Go…. and tell" (ver. 7). They were to carry the message to Christ's disciples "and to Peter" (What words of tender thought and grace were these! Peter the fearful and failing one being specially named!), that the risen Lord was going to Galilee and would meet them there as He had promised (see 14:28). Next (ver. 9), Mary Magdalene was the honored messenger to carry to the disciples some of the spoils of His victory, "Go to My brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God" (see John 20:17). "And she went and told" them as they mourned and wept. In verse 12 we read that He appeared to two of His followers, "and they went and told" how He was made known to them in breaking of bread (Luke 24:35). Various were these services carried out by these varied servants as "they went." Now it is ours to go, for to every one is work appointed (Mark 13:34). He still says "Go." May it be recorded of us in the coming day, "And they went." -Inglis Fleming.
"BLESSED ARE YE THAT SOW BESIDE ALL WATERS"