Colossians chapter 4: verses 10-11 (NIV)
My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me.
Acts Chapter 15: Verses 36-41 (NIV)
Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus.
Paul was just as human as we are. In the book of Acts, we read that he had such a strong dispute with his friend and fellow worker, Barnabas, over Barnabas’ cousin, John Mark, that they actually parted company. We don’t know who was right about a role for John Mark at that time, but he does seem to have let them down early on in their ministry. However, in today’s reading in Colossians, we read that things have changed. Paul commends John Mark for being a comfort to him when many others deserted him. Perhaps it was Paul who changed. Whatever had passed between them, he certainly didn’t bear a grudge. But neither did John Mark, who had obviously grown stronger in his faith since those earlier times.
We can be encouraged that any of us can make mistakes, but with the forgiveness of God, and our willingness to be changed, things can turn around. This is indeed encouraging to us with regard to people who have turned away from following God. They can come back and be mightily used by God, as John Mark was. And if we get into dispute with anyone, no matter what it was, and no matter whether we think its justified, we should never bear a grudge and always be willing to reach out to that person again if the Holy Spirit tells us to. God reconciled us to Himself through Jesus, and He may call us to reach out and be reconciled to others in His name and for His glory. Look what a blessing John Mark ended up being to Paul.
Dear Lord,
Paul and John Mark were open to be changed, and both were then tools of blessing one to the other. Help me to be equally open to a change of mind and heart as You direct, that You might receive the glory. And help me to remember the change in John Mark if I am tempted to write off anyone who has wandered from their faith. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.