“And John left them and returned to Jerusalem” Acts 13:13
Real Spirit-filled people have real relationship problems.
John Mark leaves Paul and Barnabas in the middle of their demanding missionary journey. He fails and flees from God’s mission to which he had committed. In Acts 15:37-39, Paul & Barnabas split as a ministry team because Paul doesn’t want Mark to come with them back to the mission field. For years, Mark’s past failure defines his worth to Paul. Thankfully Barnabas doesn’t give up on Mark and continues to believe in him and mentor him.
Years later in Colossians 4:10, Paul says this about Mark, “My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.).”
Mark learned to mature and endure hardship better and Paul learned to have grace and see Mark’s value. Paul probably assumed everyone should have the same endurance he had and had to learn to see Mark for who God made him to be. Mark probably was very immature and needed to realize that following Christ isn’t only about the mountain top experiences.
Who is your Mark? Can you learn to see God’s gift in them today?
Who is your Paul? Can you learn to value what they are trying to teach you?
Who is your Barnabas? Thank God for them and show your appreciation.