Acts 15:36-41 (NIV)
Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
Disagreements can happen, even among Christians, although it is not good when they continue and end up breaking relationships. This event, presented openly and honestly, is not presented as an example to be followed, but merely as a reality to be noted and learned from.
The disagreement originated in John Mark’s leaving the mission team during the first missionary journey (Acts 13:13). Paul felt that Mark had already proven himself unreliable and didn’t want him to go along only to desert them again when the going got hard, as he was sure it would.
Barnabas, on the other hand, wanted to give Mark another chance. Mark was Barnabas’ cousin (Colossians 4:10), and Barnabas felt a familial obligation to include the young man.
In the end, neither Paul nor Barnabas would give in. So, Barnabas took John Mark and left to encourage the Churches on the island of Cyprus that he and Paul had started on their earlier journey. Paul called on the prophet and teacher Silas (Acts 15:27, 32) to accompany him as he went north through Syria and Cilicia, the province where his hometown of Tarsus was located, on his way to the province of Galatia.
It is important to know that this rift between Paul and John Mark was not permanent. As Paul waited in chains for his first trial in Rome, a trial from which he was ultimately released, Mark was working at his side (Colossians 4:10). As he waited in prison for his second trial, after which he was executed, Paul asked Timothy to bring Mark with him when he came, “because he is useful to me in my ministry.“ (2 Timothy 4:11 NIV) Brothers and sisters in Christ may disagree, but love must ultimately rule the day, repairing broken relationships, restoring unity, and covering over a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8).
Father, thank You for this illustration and this reminder. Any time we work closely with others, the opportunity exists for conflict, unintentional hurts (love would never hurt with malice), and slights. But if we let Your love rule in our hearts, all of those can be resolved and everything restored, so that Your plan and purpose can move forward. Thank You, Lord! Amen.
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