John Mark!

Acts 13 talks about the early church praying fervently waiting for God’s guidance in their next step in ministry. The Bible clearly tells us that while they were fasting and worshipping the Holy Spirit himself called out Barnabas and Saul for carrying God’s word to the places around. With the assurance of God’s call, both set out from Antioch and proceeded towards Seleucia and then to Cyprus and reached Salamis.

While the two were ministering in Salamis, from nowhere a third person joins their team whose name is ‘John Mark’ and Bible says that he was their helper. It’s definitely very appreciative of John Mark to willingly help them in their ministry. From Salamis they moved to Paphos and interestingly John Mark was still following them and helping them all along. In v13 there is a twist in the story when they reached Pamphylia, John Mark left them and returned to Jerusalem.

If you notice carefully, John Mark is talked about only in two verses; when he enters the scene and the next time when he abandons the ministry. It’s evident how when the spirit of God is not involved in the calling for ministry, people easily waver. But Paul and Barnabas continued to work their vision for the Lord in the places where they travelled.

Two chapters later, in Acts 15:36, we see how Paul wanted to go back to each of the places they had visited earlier to encourage the believers. Accordingly when they reached Antioch, they met John Mark again. Something peculiar happened here…Barnabas, who was chosen by the spirit of God, insisted on taking John Mark again with them. But Paul who had witnessed his lack of commitment in Pamphylia, objected. A disgraceful event took place when there arose a sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabas and they split!

Could you believe, two people called out by the spirit of God and who had been together ministering all the while, separating because of a deceiver like John Mark? I am surprised about the decision of Barnabas to support John Mark though he forsook them in between. The reason is Barnabas was influenced by John Mark for some reason. Instead of waiting on the Spirit of God whether to involve John Mark or not, he wanted him at any cost. Hence their ministry split. Paul chose Silas and Barnabas chose John Mark.

It’s pathetic to know that Barnabas and John Mark didn’t make any impact later. In fact there’s nothing that the Bible talks about their ministry ever again. But on the other hand Paul and Silas shook the places where they went and thousands were added to the church.

Today message is: John Marks are all out there in the world. We never know how they come and how they disappear. But they certainly influence us in the little while they are. We may later dare to argue with God for their sake … yes, John Marks like comfort, pride, laziness, sensuality and what not. They just rub gently and disappear and before we could realize we are already deep down there.

What or Who is your John Mark today? If you examine yourself you may be surprised about how many John Marks that have blinded you from your real vision. Chuck the John Marks out in the name of Jesus and head straight towards your destiny in Christ and be a History maker!

Lord Jesus, please remove any hindrances that may come in between in my race towards my goal. Help me to obey your words and work according to Your will alone. Amen