Have you ever disappointed someone when you changed your mind?
Have you ever known the shame of a damaged reputation?
If so, you have something in common with John Mark – the bringer of good news; the writer of the gospel of Mark.
John Mark traveled as an assistant to Paul and Barnabas, when they embarked on their missionary journey. Halfway through, he opted out and returned home before they were officially finished. No one knows exactly why:
- Sickness?
- Fear?
- Exhaustion?
- Spiritual failure?
Whatever the reason, John Mark’s abrupt exit bothered Paul. It caused a rift between Paul and Barnabas.
Later, Barnabas (whose name means “son of encouragement”) wanted to give John Mark a second chance.
Paul wouldn’t have it.
So, Barnabas took John Mark one way, and Paul went another way with Silas.
In later years, Paul accepted John Mark as a worthy helper; he not only forgave him but praised him in the pages of scripture.
I would love to know what happened between the volatile rift and the complete forgiveness.
- What’s the rest of the story?
- Did John Mark have to prove himself?
- What role did Barnabas the encourager play?
I think God used Barnabas to turn things around for John Mark with his encouraging:
You still have worth! I believe in you! Let’s go!
His support must have been life-changing — without it, John Mark would have just returned home.
With that encouragement, John Mark is down in history as being:
- “Like a son” to Peter (1 Peter 5:13)
- “Useful in ministry” to Paul (2 Timothy 4:11)
- Author of the efficiently written gospel of Mark
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Correction does much, but encouragement does more. ~ Goethe
In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity. ~ Albert Einstein
Photo credit:Jens Lelie
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