Jesus never quits: Neither should we
Have you ever felt “out of your depth” and wanted to, or decided to quit? We know Jesus felt like this in the garden of Gethsemane - just before His arrest - but we also know that He never quit, and that He was strengthened by our Heavenly Father and empowered throughout His suffering, death and resurrection. Jesus never quits. He calls us to draw on His strength so that we will never quit and gives us great examples of perseverance and second chances, when even people like Paul give up on us.
Scripture
Acts 15:36-41 ESV And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” [37] Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. [38] But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. [39] And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, [40] but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. [41] And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
Through the Scripture
Don’t just preach the Gospel - make disciples
Having had a successful first mission planting many churches and then settling the controversies in the sending church at Antioch, Paul is still restless and eager to serve with all his strength. He’s not content to just preach the Gospel, he desires to see the Christian grow and mature and persevere in the faith. This is what it means to make disciples, and it’s what we are saved in order to do.
Acts 15:36 ESV And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.”
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 ESV So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. [17] For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, [18] as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
Matthew 28:18-20 ESV And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [19] Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
John Mark for the second mission
John also called Mark is Barnabus’ cousin and went with the Apostles on the first mission. He assisted them having been brought from Jerusalem to help in the church at Antioch. His mother hosted the disciples in Jerusalem. We’re not sure what he did, and he didn’t seem to be high profile, but his assistance was necessary and valuable. Some of us are sent out to lead missions and some are there to serve as assistants. It’s not what we do, it’s that we are committed to doing it for Jesus and His Church. What are we committed to doing for Jesus and His Church.
Acts 15:37 ESV Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark.
Acts 12:12 ESV When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.
Acts 12:25 ESV And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had completed their service, bringing with them John, whose other name was Mark.
Acts 13:5 ESV When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them.
Not that one again
The language used by Luke here seems to indicate that Paul objected with the sentiment that he didn’t want to take “that one” who had quit on the last mission. It shows that Paul did not have time for John Mark and that he was passionately against what Barnabus was passionately in favour of. We don’t know what happened or why John Mark quit, but Paul could have been considering Jesus words on those who are not fit for the Kingdom. Have we ever been in the position of Paul or John Mark, have we given up when we shouldn’t have, or been angry at someone who did?
Acts 15:38 ESV But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work.
Acts 13:13 ESV Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem,
Luke 9:62 ESV Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Separated to Cyprus
While it’s right that Paul was discerning in who to take with him, given John Mark’s leaving them during the last mission, it’s also right to forgive. The wisdom to know when to do what comes only from the Holy Spirit. Paul and Barnabus used different approaches and the Sovereign Lord used them both. More work was achieved even in the face of human weakness.
Acts 15:39 ESV And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus,
Ephesians 4:32 ESV Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Sent off with Silas to strengthen
We read extensively about the work of Paul and Silas, and nothing of that of Barnabus and John. This may have been because Luke, as the author travelled with Paul and Silas. This doesn’t mean that Barnabus and John Mark didn’t do great things. In fact their visiting Cyprus covered a void. Paul and Barnabus had not revisited Cyprus on their return during the first missionary trip, like they did the others. While Paul and Silas strengthened believers on their route Barnabus and John likely did the same on theirs.
Acts 15:40-41 ESV but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. [41] And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
Acts 16:10 ESV And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
Still a very useful fellow worker
Paul himself learned that God finishes what He starts, and wrote to this effect to encourage the faith of believers in Philippi. We can see evidence of this in the case of John Mark by Paul;s later references to him. He continued growing in value and reliability - by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Have you ever been found “out of your depth”? These moments can serve as catalysts for us to come to the end of ourselves and trust more on the power of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:6 ESV And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 26:36-39 ESV Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” [37] And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. [38] Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” [39] And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
Colossians 4:10 ESV Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him),
Philemon 1:23-24 ESV Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, [24] and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.
2 Timothy 4:11 ESV Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.
Jesus is still blessing the Church through Mark’s labours
John Mark didn’t just continue being a useful worker for Paul. He found a father-like figure in Peter. Perhaps they both knew the same failures able to relate to each other in this way. Peter knew what it was to be found out of his depth and he also knew what it was to be forgiven and strengthened by Jesus Christ to complete the work he was created to do. Early Church writers, as well as Biblical evidence shows that John Mark wrote the Gospel of Mark. The Lord Jesus Christ is still using John Mark today to build, strengthen and encourage His Church.
Luke 22:31-32 ESV “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, [32] but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
1 Peter 5:13 ESV She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son.
Mark 14:51-52 ESV And a young man followed him, with nothing but a linen cloth about his body. And they seized him, [52] but he left the linen cloth and ran away naked.