Luke the beloved physician wrote how, “Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also. And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark”, and in chapter fifteen and verse thirty-eight of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “Paul thought not good to take him with them” where we read:
But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia,
and went not with them to the work.
The verse begins, “But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, ...” Luke began with the word, “but Paul” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover Paul whose name means small or little” “thought it not good” or “did not think it was meet, fitting, right or deserving” “to take him with them” which means “to carry and bring John Mark alongside of them, Paul and Barnabas”, “who departed from them” or “who left and went away from Paul and Barnabas” “from Pamphylia” whose name means “of every tribe” and was the “province in Asia Minor, bounded on the east by Cilicia, on the west by Lycia and Phrygia Minor, on the north by Galatia and Cappadocia, and on the south by the Mediterranean Sea”. Luke shared how “Paul” was opposed to bringing “John Mark” with them because he left them on their first missionary journey when they were in “Pamphylia”.
The verse goes on to say, “... and went not with them to the work.” Luke continued with the words, “and went not with them” or “and did not go, depart or accompany Paul and Barnabas” “to the work” which means “toward the business, employment, undertaking and deeds of the ministry”. Luke shared how “John Mark” did not accompany “Paul and Barnabas” as they continued to share the gospel throughout the “Gentile” regions.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn that “Paul” was opposed to taking “John Mark” with them because he left them on their first missionary journey. “Paul” was focused upon the “work” of sharing the “gospel of Jesus Christ”, however, “Barnabas” was more attuned to his relationship with “John Mark”. “Paul” did not want to take the chance that “John Mark” would interrupt their “work” again, and “Barnabas” did not want to alienate his relative. We shall see how this disagreement is resolved in our next verse, but for now it is interesting to note that when “Paul”, who was also known as “Saul”, was kept at a distance from the apostles in Jerusalem, it was “Barnabas” who vouched for him and made him accepted among them. God's desire is to have a loving personal relationship with every person through His Son Jesus, and He works in various ways through various people. Disagreements will come, but let all who are wise understand, the relationship with God and others should never separate people completely because everyone who believes and trusts in Him will live in Heaven together forever. Let that thought prevail when disputes arise.
Next time Luke shares how “the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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