One of the most interesting—and possibly shocking—passages in the Bible is found in Act 15. To set the stage, Paul and Barnabas have been key leaders in establishing the church in Antioch. Then, the Spirit calls them out of that church to go a mission to the Gentles. They come back and report that the Lord has saved many and is establishing his church among the nations.
But should they Gentiles keep the Law of Moses? The apostles and the church agree that was not the right move. Even the Jewish believers couldn’t keep it. God is moving apart from the cultural barriers of the law because we are in a new covenant. The Law will die out with the old covenant, fulfilled in Christ.
Now, Paul and Barnabas are about to hit the road again, seeking places where Jesus needs to be proclaimed among unreached peoples. However, we read that “Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other” (15:38–39).
It’s something of a tense moment. Here are these two great leaders of the church in a “sharp disagreement” over one man—John Mark. Paul was unwilling to have him on the team because he previously bailed on them. They picked him up in Cyprus because he was Barnabas’ cousin. Perhaps he was eager to prove himself because he was from a well-known family? His mother likely supplied the upper room for Jesus’ last meal. Yet, he was among those who deserted Jesus in Gethsemane (Mark 14:51–52).
Yet by the end of the chapter, he had left and returned home to Jerusalem. Now, in chapter 15, Barnabas wants to give him another chance and Paul refuses to take him. Neither is presented as right or wrong. I’m sure both had good arguments.
But think about how Mark may have felt. Did he feel guilty for breaking the OG mission team of Paul and Barnabas? Did he feel bad for letting Paul down? There’s no way to know because they text doesn’t tell us. All we know is that both groups go in different directions, taking the gospel to the Gentiles.
So, what happened to Mark? When I was younger, a local radio station used to play these little five minutes vignettes from a guy named Paul Harvey. He would always tell some true story and then at the end he would show how it tied into a famous person or event. He would always end by saying, “And now you know the rest of the story.” Well, the New Testament does the same. We don’t get all of the details, but we get a glimpse of the rest of the story.
The next time we read about him is in Paul’s letter to the Colossians. That letter was written around AD 60, so it’s been around 10 or 11 years from Acts 15. Paul is in Rome and John Mark is with him. In fact, Paul says of Mark, “if he comes to you, welcome him . . . [he is] among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and [has] been a comfort to me” (Col 4:10–11).
Then we read about Mark in Paul’s second letter to Timothy. That letter is Paul’s last; it’s his final words as he is waiting to be executed by the Romans. He is writing to tell Timothy to come and see him soon because he about to die. And he says “Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry” (2 Tim 4:11).
Paul and Mark have not only been reconciled, but Mark has shown himself to be a faithful servant for the work of the gospel. It’s amazing that after such a heated disagreement the two are working together side-by-side with Paul now saying, “He’s very useful to me.” He was also useful to the kingdom, for Mark also spent time with Peter and the result is the second book in our New Testament: The Gospel according to Mark.
It’s amazing! Here’s a man who was a failure, deserter, and quitter; a man who deserted Jesus and Paul in the hour of need. And that’s the man God chooses to pour out his grace upon.! That is the man who God doesn’t give up on, but allows his to be strengthened and built up as a faithful servant for the gospel. This is the man God chooses to write one of four Gospels that will help spread the glory of Jesus’ name and bring countless believers into the kingdom!
You may be reading this and feel like a deserter. You may feel like a quitter. Perhaps it’s some big sin that’s put you on the sidelines. Perhaps it’s been a series of small sins that has led you away from a close walk with God. Perhaps the cares of the world have become a priority in your life instead of the things of God. Or perhaps you know you’re simply not serving Jesus as you should.
Whatever the circumstances, you may be hanging back wondering, ‘What good am I to the kingdom of God?’ Maybe you’re asking yourself, ‘Can God use me? Can God use a failure like me?’
And of course, the answer is yes! The Bible says, God gives grace. That there is forgiveness with God. The promise is given to us, “draw near to God and he will draw near to you” (Jas 4:8). The God of the Bible is a God of second chances. Seconds and thirds and fourths and fifths. You cannot out sin the grace of God. So, if you find yourself like Mark did so many years ago, repent of your sin and turn back to God. God delights to forgive the humble. He delights to take what appears to be useless and make it great in his kingdom.
And consider what that service for the kingdom might look like in partnership with Providence. We have many opportunities to serve the church body. We also have several opportunities to take the gospel to those outside the church through our Serve & Share Summer. There are ways you can lean into your relationships as well as an opportunity or be a witness in Baltimore. If you want to join us, the deadline for sign-up is fast approaching! Sign up today.
Whether or not you’re coming out of a Mark-like time of insecurity or you’re simply looking for the next gospel opening, God can use to shine forth of the glory of his Son. However you serve, lean into your walk with God, link arms with others around you, and do what disciples do—make more disciples!
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