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The Great Commission is important. So important, in fact, that we find it 5 times in the NT. It’s found here in Mark 16, as well as Matthew 28, Luke 24, John 20 and Acts 1. However, before the disciples believed enough to participate in the Great Commission, they were skeptical. Although they walked and lived with Jesus, they simply did not believe He was alive.
Afterward He appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at the table; and He reproached them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who had seen Him after He had risen.
Mark 16:14 NASB
Think about this for a moment. Why would Mark include this in his Gospel? Doesn’t it give ammunition to the skeptics? Is it, in fact, too honest to admit? The very men who followed Jesus around for his entire ministry did not immediately believe those who came forward telling stories about how they saw a resurrected Christ. Is this a problem?
If anything, this is additional proof for the resurrected Christ. These 11 skeptical men (most of which died for their faith), relentlessly preached the Great Commission to the ends of the Earth after this moment. The fact that they did not believe illustrates the transformative power of the Gospel for those who initially struggle with unbelief. In other words, their belief wasn’t blind or reckless. They critically evaluated both through their own experiences and the facts/prophecies to eventually stake their lives on the truth. In John, Jesus encourages all believers who have not seen Him in the flesh, yet, place their full faith and trust in Him.
Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.”
John 20:29 NASB
Jesus meets us in our skepticism and directs us as we humble our heart to His plan and purpose. He knows exactly what we need in order to believe and move forward. Where have you been skeptical? Where have you sold Him short?