Determined to Take John Mark - Acts 15:37

The beloved physician Luke shared 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 in chapter fifteen and verse thirty-seven of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “Barnabas determined to take with them John” where we read:

And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.

The verse begins, “And Barnabas determined to take with them John, ...” 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 and was a distinguished Christian teacher and companion and colleague of Paul” “determined to take with them” or “deliberated, considered, took counsel and resolved to carry and bring with them, Paul and Barnabas” “John” whose name means “Jehovah is a gracious giver”. Luke shared how “Barnabas” wanted to take his cousin “John Mark” with them on this second missionary journey.

The verse continues, “... whose surname was Mark.” Luke added the words, “whose surname was” or “who was saluted as, called and name” “Mark” which means “a defense and was an evangelist, the author of the Gospel of Mark. Marcus was his Latin surname, his Jewish name was John. He was a cousin of Barnabas and a companion of Paul in some of his missionary journeys”. Luke shared how “John's” other name was “Mark” and was the cousin of “Barnabas” and went with “Paul and Barnabas” on their first missionary journey.

When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Barnabas” wanted “John Mark” to accompany he and “Paul” to the cities they ministered to on their first missionary journey. We shall see how “Paul” responds to his request, however, let us keep in mind that “John Mark” left “Paul and Barnabas” on their first venture. (See Acts 13:13). God wants people to be in a loving, personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus, and He will employ them in His Kingdom when they submit to Him. This story demonstrates to all who read it that sometimes believers in Jesus just do not agree, and when this happens, ultimately everyone involved should remember, God's grace and love for people is without condition and always available to everyone who comes before His throne. (See Hebrews 4:16)

Next time Luke shares how “Paul thought not good to take him with them”, 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".