December 16

There is the temptation when reading scripture to do so just to complete our assignment for the day, rather than taking our time and gleaning golden nuggets of truth. We all do it from time to time. In the midst of today’s reading, these words appear that might be glossed over because of all the other things Paul has to say to Timothy: “Bring Mark with you when you come, for he will be helpful to me” (II Timothy 4:11). Those words are truly remarkable when one considers the history that took place between these two.
John Mark is the author of our Gospel of Mark. His mother owned a house in Jerusalem that was often used as a meeting place for the followers of Christ (Acts 12:12). Some even think it might have been her house that hosted Christ’s Last Supper in the Upper Room (Matthew 26:17-20; Mark 14:12-17; Luke 22:7-14). When Jesus was betrayed by Judas in the Garden of Gethsemane, scripture tells us his disciples all fled. Mark adds additional information not provided by the other gospel writers. “There was a young man following along behind, clothed only in a linen nightshirt. When the mob tried to grab him, they tore off his clothes, but he escaped and ran away naked” (Mark 14:51&52). Most scholars agree that Mark was ashamed to identify himself, but he was indeed, referring to himself.
Barnabas and Saul (otherwise known to us as Paul; 13:9) were commissioned by the church in Antioch to deliver relief to the starving Christians in Jerusalem (Acts 11:27-30). When the two returned to Antioch, they brought with them from Jerusalem, John Mark (12:25). John Mark then accompanies them on their first missionary journey (13:2-5). For some reason, which the Bible does not describe, John Mark left Barnabas and Paul and returned home to Jerusalem (13:13). We can speculate all we want the reasons for his doing so, but his actions greatly disturbed Paul. Sometime later, when Paul and Barnabas prepared to travel again, they had a sharp disagreement which led to the separation of these two great friends. Barnabas (known as the, “son of Encouragment”; Acts 4:36) wanted to give John Mark a second chance and Paul refused to do so (15:36-41). Barnabas took his cousin, Mark, and departed for Cyprus while Paul chose Silas to accompany him on his journeys. No other mention is made of John Mark in the book of Acts. But, when Paul was imprisoned in Rome (28:16,30&31) he wrote to the Colossians these words, “Aristarchus, who is in prison with me, sends you his greetings, and so does Mark, Barnabas’ cousin. And as you were instructed before, make Mark welcome if he comes your way” (4:10; see also Philemon 24 which was written about the same time). Apparently, some type of reconciliation had taken place between Paul and Barnabas. It is not God’s will that His children be divided. Whatever our disagreements, the Bible gives us advice on how we reconcile and how we get along with others, in spite of our differences. And in our reading today, it would appear that Paul and John Mark were eventually, fully reconciled (II Timothy 4:11). It is amazing the reconciliation that can take place between people when they first reconcile themselves individually, to God (II Corinthians 5:18-21).