(19) So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven; and sat on the right hand of God. (20) And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and con firming the word with signs following. Amen.
Mark sums up the glorious event of CHRIST's ascension, and the HOLY GHOST's descension, in a comprehensive manner indeed, in these two verses. But his testimony of those wonderful acts was all that the HOLY GHOST thought proper to make use of by his ministry. The events themselves are more largely followed up in the relation in the Acts of the Apostles, to which, therefore, I refer. For the present, it will be sufficient to observe, that Mark's testimony is confirmed by the LORD's testimony, in those gracious signs which followed. And the LORD JESUS's name, like the sign and seal of a charter, the AMEN, closeth Mark's Gospel, as the Verily, the faithful witness of Heaven. Revelation 3:14; Isaiah 65:16.
REFLECTIONS.
READER while you and I hasten, with the ardent love of those godly women, to the Sepulchre of JESUS, and hear with the ear of faith, as they heard in sense, the invitation of the Angel; Come see the place where the LORD lay. Oh! for the teaching of GOD the HOLY GHOST, to follow Jesus from the cross to the throne, and behold where the LORD lay from all eternity, in the bosom of the FATHER.
Send down, thou risen and exalted SAVIOR, all those precious gifts thou art returned on purpose to impart! And as in the case of Mary Magdalene, such grace was manifested; so in the instance of all thy redeemed ones, prove, thou dearest LORD, that thou art exalted as a Prince and a SAVIOR, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. Oh! the blessedness of receiving the power of CHRIST's resurrection, in the heart and conscience, when the LORD works with his holy word, and confirms that word with signs following. May the souls of all the LORD's redeemed family, thus find the sweet testimonies to the truth of our LORD's resurrection; when first GOD our FATHER having raised up his SON JESUS, hath sent him to bless us in turning away every one of us from our iniquities.
And now FAREWELL Mark! thou faithful Evangelist; surely thou hast well done the work of one, and made full proof of thy Ministry. For the testimony of thy Gospel is in the hearts of thousands, to the truth as it is in Jesus, through the power of the HOLY GHOST. Precious is the written Word, when confirmed as an engrafted Word, by the SPIRIT's grace in the heart; and when that Almighty LORD, sets to his seal, in the heart, that GOD is true. All the faithful will thank thee, Mark, for thy labour of love, as they daily read the wonders recorded by thee of JESUS. And all will find cause, who are taught of GOD, to say as Paul did concerning thee, though not called to the service of the sanctuary, as he was; for he is profitable to me in his ministry!
Precious LORD JESUS! while we thank the servant, we bow down with unspeakable thanksgiving to the MASTER! Be thou everlastingly loved, and praised, and adored, in thy Person, Work, Offices, Characters, and Relations. Men shall be blessed in thee, and all nations shall call thee blessed. Praised be the FATHER, SON, and HOLY GHOST, for all Covenant love, in JESUS CHRIST! Amen.