Acts 15:36-40 (NLT) 15:36 After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing.” 37 Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. 38 But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work. 39 Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus. 40 Paul chose Silas, and as he left, the believers entrusted him to the Lord’s gracious care.
John Mark was the central figure of a heated argument between Paul and Barnabas. John Mark had quit on Paul during his first missionary journey and Paul didn’t want to take him on the second causing Paul and Barnabas to split up. Thankfully – this isn’t the end of the story. John Mark changed. He came under the tutelage of Peter (who called him his son in the faith). He grew up. He matured and God used him mightily. Later…He even was allowed to write the Book Of Mark – telling about the life of Jesus. Paul reminded the Colossians to “welcome” Mark into their midst. We often define ourselves by certain moments or failures in our lives. We think that we can’t go on. This story reminds me that problems do come and failures do exist. But God is able to turn it around for good and we can grow out of our problems. Everyone changed in this story… John Mark, Paul, Barnabas and I hope we will too. God can turn around your failures and your fault.
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