Mark's final glorious verses

David Suchet's reading of the gospel of Mark in St. Paul's Cathedral (see earlier blog this month) leaves us with fear: “for they were afraid” (Mark 16:8 (2^nd for)). It seems that some translations of the Bible omit the final verses. 

I am going to type up those last verses (Mark 16: 9-20 King James Version), for they seem to have great significance to the student of Christian Science: divine Science, the Science of everything. I will leave out the verse numbers and make sentences as they seem reasonable.

Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.

After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them. Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak in new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

Don't we hear echoes of Science and Health by Mary Baker Eddy there? Or perhaps reflections by Science and Health of that wonderful teaching. For me, it sort of sums up the teaching of Christian Science.

Joyce Voysey