Acts 15 Paul and Barnabas Separate
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. 41 Then he traveled throughout Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches there.
If you study Barnabas’ character, you realize that he’s the kind of guy who was always restoring broken things and broken people. When Barnabas was a kid, he was probably the one who would pick up fledglings that had fallen from the nest and return them to their mothers. Barnabas is the one who went off to find Saul/Paul, bringing him to the church leaders in Jerusalem when everybody else was afraid to have anything to do with Paul. Paul owed Barnabas an immense amount, and this split must have been very painful. But Paul was raised as a Pharisee, and he still possessed a great deal of that unbending Pharisaic nature. When Paul and Barnabas came to Jerusalem, it’s possible that Barnabas sought out Mark and counseled with him. Perhaps upon reflection, Mark realized that he had made a dreadful mistake but was unable to find a way to resolve the problem. Now Barnabas came, bearing forgiveness and the possibility of restoration and new ministry. Mark would have been a fool to refuse such an invitation, particularly with Barnabas standing there smiling at him lovingly. When Barnabas brought Mark to Paul, he was quite hopeful that all would be well, relationships would be restored, and Paul and he could continue their travels with Mark accompanying them.
Until now, some of you familiar with Scripture might have been scratching your heads. “Paul and Barnabas?” you ask, “what about Paul and Silas? Where does Silas come in?” Remember when Paul and Barnabas were in Pamphylia and Mark left them to return to Jerusalem? Although Luke, writing the Book of Acts, says little about this split, evidently, Paul became disgusted with John Mark, feeling that he was a quitter, an untrustworthy weakling who would take off at the first time of trouble. Now Paul wants to return to the churches to see how they are faring; meanwhile, Barnabas insists Mark should come with them. Paul is furious! “Mark? John Mark? That ridiculous young man who deserted us at the first sign of trouble? Barnabas, what are you thinking? How can you even consider such a thing?”
We don’t know what Barnabas said in reply; however, the dispute became hot enough that Barnabas took John Mark and left for Cyprus, Barnabas’ home area. Knowing that he needed someone, Paul recruited Silas, one of the elders from Jerusalem, and the two left for Syria and Cilicia.
Was this split between two spiritual giants God’s perfect will? Yes. We must remember that God knows our imperfections far better than we do and that He makes use of our mistakes as much as of the deeds we do properly. God knew from the foundations of the world that eventually Paul and Barnabas would split; however, now instead of one effective ministry team, there were two. And Mark, having once disappointed others, would be anxious to prove that he really was diligent and reliable and that he deserved to be considered faithful. Where previously, Mark was hesitating or remaining in the background, content to coast along while Paul and Barnabas did the heavy work of ministry, now Mark realized that he must prove himself. With Barnabas encouraging and nobody to criticize, Mark now had opportunities he had not previously considered. It was time for Mark to grow up, both as a believer and also as a minister.
Eventually, Mark matured to the point that he became a treasured companion of both Paul and Peter. Mark interviewed Peter before writing the Gospel that bears his name. The site learnreligions.com tells us, “Forgiveness is possible. So are second chances. Paul forgave Mark and gave him a chance to prove his worth. Peter was so taken with Mark, he considered him like a son. When we make a mistake in life, with God’s help we can recover and go on to achieve great things. https://www.learnreligions.com/john-mark-author-of-the-gospel-of-mark-701085
Let’s be honest, folks! None of us get things right all the time. We say wrong things or needlessly offend people. We jump to conclusions. We fail to do what we should and rush in heedlessly when we should be more circumspect. The work of the Kingdom of God goes on despite most of us rather than because of most of us. The amazing thing is that God refuses to give up on us and continues to allow us the blessing of being used. We use the wrong tools for the right purpose. If not for the grace of God, none of us would accomplish anything. But God in His infinite mercy does use us, forgiving us for our failures and pointing us forward. May we remember the lessons of Barnabas-look for the broken people and heal them, for you never know what they might accomplish in the future. And remember the lessons of Paul-don’t hold someone’s past failures against them, for people can change and grow in ways that only God knows. May we forgive ourselves, and others, for past failures and move forward into the bright future God has for all of us.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to follow hard after You, realizing that You forgive and allow people second chances while we judge mercilessly. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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