The Word This Week
Acts 15:36…
What took place between Barnabas and Paul is somewhat of a mystery.
Barnabas had been such an important figure in Paul’s life, perhaps even being somewhat of a mentor.
We remember Barnabas’ name even signified his character and his nature. His name was Joses, but he had been given the name ‘Barnabas’ which literally meant, ‘Son of Encouragement.’
It was Barnabas who had first introduced (then) Saul of Tarsus to the church at Jerusalem and had personally vouched for the fact Jesus had saved Saul. It was Barnabas who remembered what kind of teacher and intellect Saul was so many years later, who traveled all the way to Tarsus to ask Saul to join the teaching ministry at the rapidly expanding, newly founded church at Antioch.
This was no small thing. When Barnabas sought out Saul at Tarsus about ten years had passed since Barnabas had last seen Saul. Barnabas was the kind of man who was a bridge-builder among men of faith.
It was consistent with Barnabas’ character to therefore desire to bring along Barnabas’ nephew John Mark once more as Paul and Barnabas planned to venture out on their second missionary journey. They planned to re-visit the churches they had planted on their first missionary to see how they were doing. Paul wanted them to all know they had not been forgotten.
Barnabas and Paul had different opinions about John Mark. Paul remembered how once they reached the mainland again from Cypress and were about to press inland – perhaps because, (as some suggest,) Paul had contracted Malaria in the swampy lowlands – and they needed to get quickly to the highland region of modern-day Turkey to help Paul heal from the symptoms he was experiencing - that John Mark departed.
We do not know and are not told why John Mark departed to go back home, but we do know from what we learn here his departure was upsetting to Paul – and that Paul was not willing to give him a second chance since he quit on them the first time around. This was true to Paul’s intense nature and character that served him well in ministry.
Also true to Barnabas’ character and nature was his desire to give John Mark a second chance. (After all, had he not done the same thing for Paul?)
Neither man was willing to compromise. Barnabas would seek to restore a quitter. Paul could not abide one.
There does also come a time in a mentor-mentee relationship when the mentee emerges as the actual leader as Paul had in his relationship with Barnabas. Perhaps Barnabas sensed that as well. The Bible sort of indicates this as well, as early on they were referred to as ‘Barnabas and Paul,’ but Paul had emerged as the chief speaker along the way in their first missionary journey, and they were now referred to as, ‘Paul and Barnabas.’
We have no idea if this played a part in their contention over John Mark, but we do know they separated over the issue. They could not and would not continue as ministry partners after this.
Perhaps they were both right, and neither man deserves criticism.
From this point on we follow Paul’s ministry only. But in later years we read John Mark was restored in valuable fellowship with Paul. We also know John Mark eventually became the author of the Gospel of Mark.
Pastor Bill
What took place between Barnabas and Paul is somewhat of a mystery.
Barnabas had been such an important figure in Paul’s life, perhaps even being somewhat of a mentor.
We remember Barnabas’ name even signified his character and his nature. His name was Joses, but he had been given the name ‘Barnabas’ which literally meant, ‘Son of Encouragement.’
It was Barnabas who had first introduced (then) Saul of Tarsus to the church at Jerusalem and had personally vouched for the fact Jesus had saved Saul. It was Barnabas who remembered what kind of teacher and intellect Saul was so many years later, who traveled all the way to Tarsus to ask Saul to join the teaching ministry at the rapidly expanding, newly founded church at Antioch.
This was no small thing. When Barnabas sought out Saul at Tarsus about ten years had passed since Barnabas had last seen Saul. Barnabas was the kind of man who was a bridge-builder among men of faith.
It was consistent with Barnabas’ character to therefore desire to bring along Barnabas’ nephew John Mark once more as Paul and Barnabas planned to venture out on their second missionary journey. They planned to re-visit the churches they had planted on their first missionary to see how they were doing. Paul wanted them to all know they had not been forgotten.
Barnabas and Paul had different opinions about John Mark. Paul remembered how once they reached the mainland again from Cypress and were about to press inland – perhaps because, (as some suggest,) Paul had contracted Malaria in the swampy lowlands – and they needed to get quickly to the highland region of modern-day Turkey to help Paul heal from the symptoms he was experiencing - that John Mark departed.
We do not know and are not told why John Mark departed to go back home, but we do know from what we learn here his departure was upsetting to Paul – and that Paul was not willing to give him a second chance since he quit on them the first time around. This was true to Paul’s intense nature and character that served him well in ministry.
Also true to Barnabas’ character and nature was his desire to give John Mark a second chance. (After all, had he not done the same thing for Paul?)
Neither man was willing to compromise. Barnabas would seek to restore a quitter. Paul could not abide one.
There does also come a time in a mentor-mentee relationship when the mentee emerges as the actual leader as Paul had in his relationship with Barnabas. Perhaps Barnabas sensed that as well. The Bible sort of indicates this as well, as early on they were referred to as ‘Barnabas and Paul,’ but Paul had emerged as the chief speaker along the way in their first missionary journey, and they were now referred to as, ‘Paul and Barnabas.’
We have no idea if this played a part in their contention over John Mark, but we do know they separated over the issue. They could not and would not continue as ministry partners after this.
Perhaps they were both right, and neither man deserves criticism.
From this point on we follow Paul’s ministry only. But in later years we read John Mark was restored in valuable fellowship with Paul. We also know John Mark eventually became the author of the Gospel of Mark.
Pastor Bill