Who Is Your John Mark?

 
 Acts 15:36-39 - After some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us return and visit the brethren in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are." 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, called Mark, along with them also.

38 But Paul kept insisting that they should not take him along who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39 And there occurred such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus.  NASU
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• Deserving A 2nd Chance 

When no one else would give Saul of Tarsus a break Barnabas did. Barnabas didn't allow Saul's past to hinder giving him a chance after Saul had been converted to Christianity. If you are not familiar with Saul's story his nationality was Jewish and he belonged to the religion of Judaism.
 
He was welcomed into Christianity by Barnabas but no one else was so inclined to allow Saul to join their fellowship. I don't know why I have been shocked all these years to see Christians not allow people who have been converted to Jesus to be accepted into their fellowship.
 
I remember being converted to Christ in 1975 and if you had long hair the older Christians would frown at you for your appearance. People today who may have tattoos most likely experience the same type of judgmental behavior from older Christians.
 
The first century Christians didn't allow Saul to be openly welcomed into the Lord's church. Barnabas gave Saul a second chance if you will, but not just Saul. 

• He Gave John Mark A 2nd Chance 

The shock about this story is Saul of Tarsus, the one who becomes the apostle Paul; the one who other Christians would not allow to join their group was likewise not willing to give John Mark a second chance and was not willing to allow him to join their missionary adventure.
 
Barnabas, Saul and John Mark had been on a previous missionary trip when John Mark leaves the group and goes home to Jerusalem.

We are not told why he exited the group. We have no idea if there were a family emergency or what the reason for his return.
 
What we do know is when Saul who is now called Paul wants to take another missionary journey Barnabas wants to take John Mark. He wants to give him a second chance and Paul is totally against bringing John Mark with them.

No second chance for you is Paul's stance even though he was the one who had been given a second chance from Barnabas.
 
Saul was a Pharisee in Judaism and they are known for being judgmental and we can see Paul is judging John Mark as unworthy of a second chance. 

• Who Do You Know? 

Who is that one person that comes to your mind that may be in need of a second chance? (I am not referring to abusing spouses or anyone who has sinned against you, or family members on drugs that have stolen from you.)
 
I am referring to someone like John Mark.You expected them to act a certain way and they didn't.

You wanted your child to go to a certain college and they didn't go there. You wanted your child to work with you in your family business and they went a different way.
 
Can you find it within your heart to give someone a second chance like Barnabas did John Mark? 

• A Happy Ending 

Barnabas invested his time and influence into John Mark, who is his nephew and the end result is we see that the apostle Paul will have a change of heart about John Mark, as you can read in 2 Tim. 4:11 - …Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.
 
John Mark is also called Peter's son in 1 Pet. 5:13- She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, and so does my son, Mark.
 
We would understand this to be his son in the faith.
 
One other item of information for us is when you read the Gospel of Mark this is the same John Mark who was given a second chance by Barnabas.
 
I would say beyond a shadow of doubt that John Mark was worthy of a second chance and because of Barnabas giving him this chance we have benefited greatly.

Maybe you know someone like John Mark that is in need of a second chance. I hope you will do the right thing.
 
Think About These:
 
Men with clenched fists can't shake hands.
 
Two marks of a Christian: giving and forgiving.
 
It is far better to forgive and forget than to hate and remember.

Stay Pumped,
 
Gary A. Serago

Minister of God's Word