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Taking up Snakes, Drinking Poison, and a Prayer for Healing (Mark 16:17-18)

“These are some of the signs that will accompany believers: They will throw out demons in my name, they will speak with new tongues, they will take snakes in their hands, they will drink poison and not be hurt, they will lay hands on the sick and make them well.” Mark 16:17-18 The Message

Do you ever wonder about this passage of Scripture? Some have used it as a means of practice in their religion. They quote this passage of Scripture to justify handling poisonous snakes while claiming those who have died because of a bite lacked the faith required for protection.

I always had a problem with this usage of the passage because Jesus warned us on many occasions not to tempt the Lord our God:

“Then the devil took Him [Jesus] up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, ‘If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: He shall give His angels charge concerning you’, ‘and in their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ Jesus said to him, [the devil] ‘it is written again, You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’” Matthew 4:5-7

If we are not to tempt God by doing dangerous and foolish things on purpose, why does Jesus make such a statement in Mark 16:17-18?

Could it be that He is referring to accidental circumstances – or, was it a prophetic word regarding one specific situation, which was to come. Perhaps it is both.

In the book of Acts – some 60 years after the ascension of Christ, we read of such a situation:

“Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta. And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold. But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, ‘no doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.’ But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.” Act 28: 1-5

It is evident from this account that Paul did not intentionally “take up a snake” or “drink poison”, yet this is exactly what happened. The poison was put into his body by way of this bite. In effect, he drank its poison.

It is not recorded that Paul prayed for healing, but I am willing to bet he did. God was gracious and faithful to provide it. God was not done with Paul. His mission in life was not complete.

I believe the words of Jesus are words of comfort for times of unexpected circumstances.  One of the son’s of my former bible study teacher accidentally drank turpentine believing it was water. He was rushed to the doctor and his life was spared.

Last week, a rattlesnake bit one of my dearest friends. He was taken to the hospital and remained in the Intensive Care Unit for several days. It was a true fight for his life. Many of his family members, friends, and countless strangers prayed for his recovery – and God responded. The anti-venom was ineffective at first in jump-starting his body to fighting the venom. With specific prayer for his body to take over, it eventually did.

Nevertheless, what of those who are prayed for and healing does not come? (Maybe it did, just not as expected.) Does this make the words of Jesus untrue and therefore unreliable? Not in the least – all things are in accordance with God’s will and purpose for each of our lives.

We are to pray believing and trusting for God’s will do be done. I am praising God for a practical application of Mark 16:17-18. I hope this example helps others to look at this passage of Scripture with this perspective and give it some consideration. I welcome your thoughts.

May the Lord bless you, keep you, and direct your path. May you go in the way He leads and live a life that pleases Him.

In the name of Jesus, amen.

To view the news piece which includes helpful information, click http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=80208626497&h=4Ef74&u=ayiLv&ref=mf 

A big thanks to our Sovereign Lord.

© Teresa Ortiz – 2009 World Wide Bible Studies

» left by PMaddox from Cali (4 years 5 days ago.)

Thank you so much!!

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» left by Teresa^(1,344) (4 years 5 days ago.)

You are welcome, as long as it is within our power to do so, we will always be there for you.

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» left by Emily from Sonora, CA (4 years 4 days ago.)

Praising God for Dean's healing!

 

(((HUGS)))

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» left by Teresa^(1,344) (4 years 4 days ago.)

Hi Emily, 

Amen, and thank you for praying! Hugs to you too!

 

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» left by Jess (3 years 357 days ago.)

Teresa,

 

You never cease to amaze me with your writing, as I was reading this article, a question aroused inside my head, and before I could even completely form the wording of it, you read my mind and told me what happens when we pray for people and the healing does not come? You know so much, but yet, you always stop to wait for the ones one step behind, Thankyou :)

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» left by Teresa^(1,344) (3 years 348 days ago.)

Hi Jess, I am glad and I thank God that I was able to help you with this particular question.

 

Thank you for the kind words, I myself am learning and it may seem I know a lot, but there are others who know more than me, and I always appreciate their patience with my questions and challenges, so I will always pass this on to those who come to me with questions. As all teachers say, there is no such thing as a dumb question. Especially when it comes to God and the Bible. So keep asking, but one of these days, you will have to make a decision to respond to what you already know :-) Blessings to you! Teresa

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» left by ramon from Antarctica (3 years 259 days ago.)

does it not contradict what Jesus(asw) has said that "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

 

so if you are a believer then Jesus(asw) will not accept you.

 

and why you say In the name of Jesus, amen, should you not praise the God(swt) that created Jesus(asw).dont you know not to associate God(swt) with his creation, only he alone is to be praised and thanked.

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» left by Teresa^(1,344) (3 years 258 days ago.)

Hello Ramon.  Thank you for reading and for your comment.

I am not sure what "(swt)" and "asw") mean, but I can respond to your comment.

This does not contradict what Jesus said. The portion of the words of Jesus you are quoting in their complete context are referring to the conversation/teaching he is giving to the religious hypoctrites who have a form of outward religion and doing good for selfish gain. They have never repented of their sin and are not trusting in God to forgive their sin but rather, they think they can earn their way to heaven.

Jesus accepts all believers who respond to His call. We are instructed in the Bible that we are to pray to the Father and thank the Father in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ.  Jesus is God in the flesh and Jesus is the Creator. This is taught from Genesis chapter one all the way through the old and new testament and into the final book of the bible - Revelation.

I am interested in knowing what (swt) and (asw) mean and I am interested in how you conclude that Jesus will not accept believers.  I hope to hear back from you. 

Thanks and blessings to you!

Teresa

 

 

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» left by Tim from SC (2 years 329 days ago.)

Then your best friend who was bitten should be able to lay hands on and heal people.

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» left by Anonymous (2 years 326 days ago.)

Hello, thank you for reading.

I am curious as to why you would say that? 

 

No man can heal accept the LORD. Scripture says that it is the elders of the church who are to lay hands on people and pray for them, but no where does it say that the elders are the ones who do the healing.

It is God and he does not always bring physical healing.

Thank you again for reading, I would love to hear your reasoning for your statement.

God bless you!  Teresa

 

 

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» left by Ken from California (1 year 296 days ago.)

Great job of interpolating Mark 16:17-18!

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» left by Teresa (1 year 289 days ago.)

Hi Ken! Thanks for comment. Lord bless you!

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