Written by We all need encouragement. Individuals who come to the aid of someone they see to be in moral distress are encouragers. The great encourager in the New Testament is Barnabas, and the two most notable recipients of his encouragement are Paul and John Mark. Paul (formerly Saul) was an outsider to the church. John Mark was a church kid.
Yesterday I explained how Barnabas had gone out of his way to encourage Paul even though most of the Church of his day were afraid of him. Today we will focus on Barnabas’ showing encouragement to John Mark.
We are first acquainted with John Mark when we learn that the church met to pray in the home of Mary, his mother.
When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. Acts 12:12
When Barnabas returned to the church in Jerusalem and gave them his report on the condition of the church in Antioch, Paul accompanied him. When Barnabas and Paul (formerly Saul) returned to Antioch they brought with them John Mark.
When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission, they returned from Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark. Acts 12:25
This missionary team began their work and traveled to Antioch, then crossed by ship to the island of Cyprus, crossed the island and then once more by ship went to Perga in Pamphylia (on the coast of modern Turkey). It is at this point that John Mark leaves them and returns to Jerusalem. The exact reason for John Mark’s departure is unknown, but whatever his reason it did not meet with Paul’s approval.
Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the brothers 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, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. Acts 15:36-41
John Mark’s departure from Barnabas and Paul’s missionary journey and his invitation to rejoin them on a second journey caused such a problem that Paul and Barnabas “had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company.” Barnabas the encourager takes Mark and Paul takes Silas and they depart.
The encourager is always going to help the underdog. Previously, it was the outsider Paul, now it is the insider John Mark. True encouragers do not care who, they help those whom they see in distress. The fact that Barnabas was related to John Mark (they were cousins Col 4:10) may have had something to do with his decision, but I think it is more his nature as encourager.
In the final analysis Paul tells us that he acted to hastily and that Barnabas was right and John Mark’s rehabilitation was worth all of Barnabas’ effort.
Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. 2 Timothy 4:11
Who needs your encouragement today? It may be an outsider who will stretch you beyond your own comfort zone or an insider (perhaps even a member of your own family), but someone needs your encouragement and your gift given to them will help you both, and God’s kingdom.
Thanks for this encouraging word.