A Quitter

When we come to the realization that the Bible is God’s Word to us, then we read it with a much more discerning heart because we recognize that God can speak to us through any part of His Word.

That means that things that might appear to be inconsequential can actually provide great insight. One biblical character that could easily be overlooked but who teaches us much about walking with the Lord is a gentleman by the name of John Mark.

John Mark was one of the companions of Paul (still called Saul at this point) and Barnabas on their first missionary journey (see Acts 13:4-5). Along the way on that first missionary journey, John Mark left the ministry team and returned to Jerusalem for reasons that are not disclosed in Scripture. But, whatever the reasons, Paul was not happy about John Mark’s quitting on them halfway through a mission trip.

When Paul suggested to Barnabas that they take another mission trip to check on the churches that had been started and the Christians that had been saved through their first trip, Barnabas agreed. Barnabas wanted to take John Mark along. Because John Mark bailed on the last trip, Paul did not want to take him this time. The disagreement became so heated that Paul and Barnabas split over it and decided to go their separate ways. Barnabas took John Mark one direction, and Paul chose Silas and they headed out in another direction (see Acts 15:36-41).

Somewhere along the way, Paul’s view of John Mark changed and their relationship was reconciled. How do we know? Notice how Paul spoke of John Mark later in his ministry days:

Paul gave instructions to the church at Colossae to welcome John Mark and graciously receive him. Somewhere along the way, John Mark had been restored. (See Colossians 4:10.)

Then in the twilight of his ministry, Paul says this about John Mark:

2 Timothy 4:11

Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.

Again, Paul described John Mark as being helpful in ministry. The young man that Paul did not want on a missionary journey was now applauded for being helpful in ministry.

What can we learn from all this?

First, if you are a John Mark who was abandoned the journey of serving the Lord, walking with Jesus and being useful to God’s kingdom, you can come back. Your past choices and mistakes do not have to dictate your future direction. In Christ, you can change.

Second, if you know someone who is coming back to walking with the Lord, receive, encourage, and minister alongside him or her. God does great restoration projects.

One last thought…John Mark eventually became an author, too. Maybe you have read some of what he wrote. It is usually referred to as “The Gospel of Mark.” You will find it in your Bible. Good stuff that is worth reading.