Luke the physician wrote how, “the word of God grew and multiplied”, and in chapter twelve and verse twenty-five of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem” where we read:
And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry,
and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.
The verse begins, “And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, ...” Luke began with the words, “and Barnabas” whose name means “son of rest” and was “the surname of Joses or Joseph, a Levite, a native of Cyprus who was a distinguished Christian teacher and companion and colleague of Paul” “and Saul” whose name means “desired” and was “the Jewish name of the apostle Paul” “returned from Jerusalem” which means “came back from the city of Jerusalem which means set you double peace and is the capital of Palestine”, “when they had fulfilled their ministry” or “at the time and moment Barnabas and Saul completed their service to bring an offering from Antioch to the church in Jerusalem”. Luke shared how “Barnabas and Saul” came back to the city of “Jerusalem”, and after completing their “ministry” of bringing an offering from Antioch to the church, they left for Antioch again.
The verse goes on to say, “... and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.” Luke continued with the words, “and took with them John” which means “and carried and brought with Barnabas and Saul, John whose name means Jehovah is a gracious giver” “whose surname was Mark” or “who was summoned and known as Mark which means a defense”. Luke shared how “Barnabas and Saul” carried “John Mark” with them from Jerusalem to “Antioch”.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Barnabas and Saul” completed their “ministry” in Jerusalem where they brought them the offering collected for the church in Antioch. Afterward “Barnabas and Saul” left for Antioch again and carried “John Mark” with them. God would use these men to share His “gospel”, and we shall see how they are commissioned in our next few verses. For now, let it suffice us to know He was working His purpose to expand the news of His salvation throughout the world. God loves people, and He desires a personal relationship with each of them through His Son Jesus. He will employ people to share His “good news” that extends His “forgiveness of sins” and “everlasting life” to everyone who believes and trusts in Jesus. Let all who read these words realize the commissioning of “Barnabas, Saul and John Mark” eventually lead to everyone being able to receive Jesus as their “Savior and Lord”.
Next time we begin a new chapter and see Luke share how, “there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers”, 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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