Good morning
Zebras,
Yesterday’s
Oswald led me to this:
Acts 15:36-41 And
after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in
every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” Now
Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. But Paul thought best not
to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone
with them to the work. And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they
separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to
Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the
brothers to the grace of the Lord. And he went through Syria and Cilicia,
strengthening the churches.
Paul had a job
to do from God, and he didn’t want to take someone who had turned back in the
past. Ministering to the world is
difficult work, he needed people he could count on.
Barnabas felt
differently, maybe because Mark was his cousin. (Col 4:10)
Nowhere is Paul
chastised for his decision and John Mark probably learned something from being
left behind.
From the
profile on John Mark: "Mistakes are
difficult teachers. Their consequences
have a way of making lessons painfully clear.
But those who learn from their mistakes are likely to develop
wisdom. John Mark was a good learner who
just needed some time and encouragement.”
Which is
exactly what he got from Barnabas.
Neither man was
wrong and together they illustrate the righteous judgement and mercy of God.
Love,
Jill
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