Mark 16
This is the last chapter in the Gospel according to Mark. More than half of this chapter is not in two of the "most trustworthy" manuscripts, although they do appear in many other writings.
If they are not genuinely part of what Mark wrote (which I believe they are), then the abrupt ending with verse 8 would suggest that the "original" closing verses were "lost."
But Jesus said that none of His Word would be "lost," but will continue until all is finished.
Both Matthew (5:18) and Luke (16:17) tell us that Jesus declared that not even the tiniest stroke of the pen of the Scriptures would pass away. So how could Mark's ending verses not be what has survived in our Bible today?
It upsets me that respected Bible scholars are teaching that certain verses are not to be trusted. This undermines confidence in God's Word.
I trust every word, every sentence, every story, every chapter, as my Father's love-letter to me. I know not to base any "doctrine" on any one passage, anywhere in Scripture, because I know how to find confirmation elsewhere in the tome. The Bible interprets itself. It's all one story, and one part clarifies and explains another. All the dots will connect, and one Day we will see the whole picture.
Until that Day, I will continue to revel in the magnificence of how everything fits together, even events that seem to have no relevance to one another.
God is working His Plan, and He has told us what to expect, as He always has throughout Man's time on this Earth. He says what He means, and He means what He has said. Those who are wise will see the path, and will reap the benefits of the harvest, in every time and era.
And God will receive all the glory. Those who are wise will rejoice with Him, and those who are foolish will regret their foolishness forever. And those who have the knowledge, but lead others astray, will be required to give account.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
