Daily Devotions
Mark
Day 7
Text: Mark 1
"Who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me." Philemon 11
STRONG DIFFERING OPINIONS
Paul had his reasons for not choosing Mark to go on the next Missionary Journey. Barnabas had his reasons for wanting to give Mark a second chance. These two positions can be hard to negotiate at times. Leaders, even great leaders, like Paul and Barnabas can clash badly.
“Now Barnabas was determined to take with them
John called Mark.
But Paul insisted that they should not take with them
the one who had departed from them in Pamphyllia,
and had not gone with them to the work.
Then the contention became so sharp that they parted
from one another.”ACTS 15:37-39
1. Barnabas’ position
a) From the standpoint of forgiveness.
b) From the standpoint of giving him a second chance to make good.
2. Paul’s position
a) The record of Mark’s failure.
b) The danger of a repeat of history; too much of a risk in the mission field.
At the point of their contention, both must have believed that their personal positions were “right”. No agreement was reached, and thus a fall out occurred between Paul and Barnabas. They were not known to have worked together again.
A SECOND CHANCE
Mark was given a second chance to prove himself by Barnabas. Over time, Mark grew to become so good in ministry that he was reconciled to Paul. The aged apostle had nothing but loving words to say of Mark years later.
“Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you,
with Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (about whom
you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him).”COLOSSIANS 4:10
It was this same person, John Mark, who undertook the task of writing a gospel of the life of Christ. And he did this work marvelously.