Rēad to Read …Again
Daily Reading: Acts 14-15
Acts 15:37
And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.
John Mark is a name associated with the split of Barnabas and Paul. That story is only a small chapter in this great man’s life. Needless to say, few can relate to the giants of the faith like Paul, Peter, and John, for very few will be used of God as they were. But John Mark, he is representative of most devout servants of God during the church age. Most can relate to him.
Mark was born into a home that seemed to have strong Christian influences. His mother was named Mary, her house was evidently a favorite meeting place for the saints (Acts 12:12). She was a godly, perhaps wealthy, widow dwelling in Jerusalem. His uncle was Barnabas (Colossians 4:10). Additionally, Mark was a convert to Christ under the ministry of Peter (I Peter 5:13) whom he worked with for a long period of time and he also labored with Barnabas and Paul. Being from Jerusalem it is easy to believe that Mark saw and heard Jesus. Some believe that he is the young man that followed Jesus when all others forsook Him (Mark 14:51).
Mark, like so many, had a failure of faith. In Acts 13:13 John Mark departed from Paul and Barnabas and returned to Jerusalem. No place in Scripture is the reason for this departure given. But suffice it to say that Paul thought it inappropriate, for he …went not with them to the work. (Acts 15:38). While we know not why, we do know the fact that for a time, Mark left the work of Christ.
Off the trail for a while, yes. But he didn’t stay there. Later Paul wrote of the value of this man’s contribution in Colossians 4:10-11. Even saying of him in Philemon 24, Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers. In fact, Paul thought so much of John Mark that he instructed Timothy that he was …profitable to me for the ministry. (II Timothy 4:11). Yes, John Mark made a comeback. After all, even a just man falls seven times but rises up again (Proverbs 24:16). This man did!
Another fact that may be astounding: John Mark was the human author of the Gospel of Mark. In Scripture we find no message he ever preached, no miracle he performed, but we do read that he was a helper of others.
From his life, five things can be observed.
The blessings of a godly home.
The importance of the influence of good people. (Barnabas, Paul, and Peter)
The endless possibilities of life. The son of a widow woman being used by God to write the life story of Jesus.
Momentary failure is not a permanent indicator of one’s future.
Faithful service will be rewarded. Paul praised him, and the Lord used him.
To all the John Marks out there: Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and get back into the game. It’s never too late to accomplish something great for God!
Dr. William T. Howe
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