This year I’m teaching through the Gospel of Mark at my local church here in Siloam Springs, Arkansas (details below on how you can join us from a distance).
Like all the gospels (the good news), Jesus is, of course, the central figure. John Mark makes this clear when he opens his book with the words, “The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” (Mark 1:1)
Before plunging ahead into our text, I thought it would be helpful to get to know Mark, the author of what I’m calling the On-the-Go-Gospel. We can pick up snippets and scraps of information from his life here:
Acts 12:12 A prayer meeting is taking place at his mother’s home. Mark was raised, then, by a godly woman who believed in prayer and made her home available to the church.
Acts 12:25 Mark traveled with Paul and Barnabas.
Acts 13:5 Mark was a helper to Paul and Barnabas on their missionary journey.
Acts 13:13 Mark bails out and goes home. (No details provided on why).
Acts 15:36-39 When Paul and Barnabas prepare for their next trip, Barnabas (whose name means, “Son of Encouragement”) suggests taking Mark along. Because of Mark’s early departure from the previous trip, Paul objects. The disagreement between Paul and Barnabas is so great they part ways.
That’s the bad news.
The good news is our great God transformed division into multiplication: instead of one team of two heading to the mission field, two teams with a total of four went out. Paul took Silas in one direction and merciful Barnabas gave Mark a second chance and took him along in another.
We could stop the story there and be grateful for the kindness of Barnabas and the grace extended to Mark. But digging further, we see restoration in the relationship between Paul and Mark:
Colossians 4:10 Paul is in prison writing his letter to the church at Colosse. As he wraps it up, he mentions that John Mark is with him in Rome.
II Timothy 4:11 Paul specifically requests for John Mark to be sent to him, adding: “…because he is helpful to me in my ministry.”
Even before jumping into the book he authored, there are several take aways for us to glean from Mark’s life:
- Our past need not define us. Mark may have been a quitter at one point, but he moved on. He became an asset to Paul and to the Kingdom.
Lord, I know you have forgiven my past failings. Help me to forgive myself. Help me to let go of the past, so I can live fully and completely today.
- God will use even our failures and work them for good .
I praise you, God, because You alone can take the gory …and use it for Your glory!
- Never give up on a relationship!
Lord, forgive me for the he/she-will-never-change-attitude. Restore hope in my heart.
- Live grateful for grace.
Jesus….thank you.
If you would like to consider studying the gospel of Mark with us, you can order the book directly from Joy of Living here: http://www.joyofliving.org/html/mark.html
(Of if you are local, just email me about getting a book.)
After completing the daily lessons each week, you can listen to each week’s teaching lecture on line. I’ll post it here and also on my ministry Facebook page. Here’s the introductory lecture:
Would love for you to study along with us this year!
